THE BRITISH people welcomed her with open arms even though she was a divorced, 37-year-old American actress whose bridal expiration date was fast approaching. Now they are accused of “racism” after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry take the “unprecedented” step of announcing they are moving to Canada for part of the year and abandoning many of their royal duties. Their action, which has met with heavy criticism, was preceded by a significant downturn in the Duchess of Sussex’s public reputation.

Race, it seems, was not the cause of her alienation from her role, at least not on the part of the British. Meghan, who is biracial, is more of an American celebrity than a British royal. Her advocacy, for instance, of global menstruation rights for women was more in tune with the vanity politics of Hollywood stars than British royalty, as much as the two cultures resemble each other. As Sam Greenhill of The Daily Mail writes:

Their (Harry and Meghan’s) preaching to ordinary people about how they should lead their lives — particularly about climate change — and what has come to be seen as a drip, drip, drip of complaints about how they are treated, has led to a real disconnect.

A woman who believed her baby’s movement in the womb was “the embryonic kicking of feminism” and championed transgenderism might be too much for even the British to take. Or is that too idealistic a view? In any event, in one poll, she was only exceeded in unpopularity by Prince Andrew.

Richard Kay, also with The Daily Mail,  examines Meghan Markle’s tenure so far in the House of Windsor.

Meghan’s decision to hold an extravagant baby shower in New York didn’t just shock people, it offended them, too. What possible justification could there be for the private jets — no matter who picked up the bill — as well as luxury hotels, lavish parties and expensive baby gifts?

It was the kind of look associated with the Kardashians, not the Windsors.

Then came the biggest shock of all — the secrecy over the birth of baby Archie.

Here, not just tradition but common sense was upended. They announced there would be no bulletins on when or where the baby would be born, no traditional photograph and they even declined to say who was in charge of delivery.

This didn’t just upset royal fans but the Royal Family, too.

For generations, the births of those close to the throne have been proclaimed on a notice placed just inside the railings of Buckingham Palace. It always includes the names of the doctors in attendance.

Harry and Meghan simply ignored protocol and did it their way. While touching it undoubtedly was as Harry spoke of his pride and joy, the moment was riven with controversy. As for the birth, they cackhandedly arranged for a statement saying Meghan had gone into labour to be issued after the baby had actually been born.

But the real insult came when baby Archie’s christening was shrouded in secrecy.

The couple refused to say who the godparents were, and when photographs did appear the infant’s face was largely obscured.

Some may see this as unnecessary carping about a couple who want to ensure their son is not brought up in the royal way, but has the privacy that was denied Harry and William as they grew up. Others suggest that all they were really doing was weaponising their family in their battles for privacy.

Meanwhile, the ‘fab four’, as the royal brothers and their wives had been dubbed, was no more. Harry and Meghan moved to Windsor, separated his office from William’s and split from their highly successful charity, the Royal Foundation .

This was not just a change in direction but a unilateral declaration of independence.

Nothing illustrated this more than their decision to give an interview to ITV while on a royal tour of southern Africa last autumn. It was a mistake of historic proportions. Standing against a backdrop of some of the most deprived regions on earth, they complained to the camera about their lot.

By the way, Meghan and Harry are likely to make a fortune in their new life. Greenhill writes:

In the past few weeks, the couple have trademarked their Sussex royal brand on more than 100 items, from T-shirts, books and magazines to teaching materials and emotional support groups.

They submitted trademark applications for textbooks, footwear, headgear, coats, jackets – and even pyjamas. The couple have already managed to amass fortunes, estimated at £30million for Harry, and £4million for Meghan.

A polished website explains their charitable agenda.

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