Queen Elizabeth II sets the perfect model for royals to follow when it comes to dealing with the press. After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the legal action they took against a couple of publications, news emerged the long-reigning monarch has been following a golden rule on how royals should have a professional relationship with the media. Hence, the Sussexes may be breaking this act.
Commentator and former editor Charles Moore wrote in the Daily Telegraph that there are few rules worth observing to have a professional relationship with the press. Rule No. 1: Don't be too needy. The press can be bullies sometimes. They may think that famous figures need them. Hence, Queen Elizabeth never pities herself or even worries about what the media thinks or writes about her.
Aside from the Queen, Princess Anne is also a perfect example of how to deal with the press. Moore said that she has a "straight and work-driven" attitude with the media. Dubbed as the hardest-working royal for two years in a row, the Princess Royal performs her duties, speaks directly, and never frets.
However, by the looks of it, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are on the verge of breaking this rule. Moore claimed that, in different ways, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not following the model Queen Elizabeth has set.
Meghan Markle is said to be needy of attention, while her husband craves for peace and quiet. Although public scrutiny and media attention is a hard pill to swallow, being part of a monarchy -- which depends on popular esteem -- needs to work with the press.
This news emerged after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed the hardships of being followed by the media on the ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, per Express. The show featured the Sussexes' causes and what they did in Africa. It also explored how they handle media pressures.
Meghan Markle admitted she finds it hard to cope with the attention she has been receiving from the media while she was pregnant until now that she is already a new mom. The host Tom Bradby, who previously made three documentaries with Prince Harry, also asked the former actress how all of the media pressures that she is under affect her physical and mental health.
"I would say - look, any woman, especially when they are pregnant, you are really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging," Meghan Markle explained. Prince Harry's wife also admitted that having a newborn child and being a woman, it is a lot to handle.
