All the times Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been savaged by popular TV shows
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. But is this true for mocking members of the Royal Family on television?
Prince Harry and Meghan are no strangers to criticism.
As early as 2016, when the couple had just started dating, Channel 4 comedy The Windsors mocked the couple by depicting Harry as telling Meghan that he had offered a producer a knighthood in exchange for helping her find work.
The Duchess of Sussex's character is upset by this, telling Harry that if she 'is to make, I mean really make it, it needs to be because of who I am, not who I know'.
She then storms off and says she's going back to Los Angeles.
Animated TV show The Prince, with its cast including Sophie Turner and Orlando Bloom, mocked the couple's job prospects in 2021.
Harry asks: 'What are we going to do? Can you get another show? I mean, not one that you act on, darling. I know people don't want to hire you for that anymore.'
Meghan replies: 'HGTV did call my agent last week about us but, at the time, I thought we were too good for them.'
Following the release of Harry's memoir Spare in 2023, the American show South Park - known for its satirical and surreal humor - made a jab at the Sussexes
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone's episode follows the young royals, the Prince and Princess of Canada, flying around the world on a 'Global Privacy Tour' to promote his autobiography 'Aaargh'.
The show has used Canada as a stand-in for other countries before.
In season 19, the new Canadian president - who carries more than a resemblance to Donald Trump - looks to build a huge border wall to keep the Americans out.
The Prince and Princess of Canada are seen at a large state funeral, where they are booed by the rest of the royal family - accused of bashing the Canadian monarchy.
Against the backlash, the couple appear on breakfast television to demand their privacy.
Arriving on the set of Good Morning Canada with a book to promote, the prince holds aloft a placard reading 'we want privacy', while the princess's banner reads: 'Stop looking at us.'
The host asks whether, in reporting on the royal family for his new book, he has now become a journalist himself.
'We just want to be normal people - all this attention is so hard,' the prince replies.
Another cartoon with a cult following - Family Guy - took a dig at the Sussexes' Netflix deal, which is reportedly worth $100million.
Family Guy's third episode in its 22nd season, which aired in October 2023, shows the main character Peter Griffin going on an adventure to become a TV extra.
'I'll go it alone, just like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry,' he says.
The scene then cuts to animated versions of Harry and Meghan, lounging by a pool, when their butler comes with a check.
'Sir, your millions from Netflix for… no one knows what,' the butler says.
Harry replies: 'Put it with the rest of them.'
The Sussexes have produced three series for Netflix since they signed an £80million deal with the streaming platform in 2020
And it's not only cartoons using satire to mock the royal couple.
At the 65th Grammy Awards in February 2023, host Trevor Noah made fun of Harry for his notorious line about his 'frostbitten penis' in Spare.
The prince claimed he was suffering from the shocking condition during William and Kate's wedding, after he undertook a 200-mile expedition to the North Pole in March 2011.
While welcoming James Corden to the stage, Noah said: 'James Corden is a 12-time Emmy winner and the host of The Late Late Show.
'He's also living proof that a man can move from London to LA and not tell everyone about his frostbitten penis.'
For many celebrities, being mocked on Saturday Night Live is a right of passage.
Earlier this year the Sussexes were at the centre of a savage SNL quip as Colin Jost delivered a breakdown of the week's major news stories.
The presenter addressed the UK-US trade deal between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, joking: 'President Trump also announced a new trade deal with the UK that will re-open British markets for American companies.
'All that Britain demands in return is that we keep these two,' as a photo of Harry and Meghan appeared on the screen behind him.
Jost made a brutal joke about the couple, claiming the recent UK-US trade deal included a clause which meant they must stay in America
It was reported as another sign that America is turning its back on the Sussexes, who stepped down as working royals and left Britain for a new life in US in 2020.
Harry once again threw the breakdown of his relationship with his family back into the limelight with an explosive interview after he lost his court battle over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to when in the UK.
Earlier this year he lost his attempt to overturn the Home Office's decision at the Court of Appeal - a ruling he has since furiously described as a 'good old-fashioned Establishment stitch-up'.
Harry's bombshell interview with the BBC was met with a wave of criticism after he complained that his father, King Charles, 'won't speak to me ' and claimed he 'doesn't know how much longer he has left'.
Just days later, a YouGov poll revealed that Harry is the second most popular living member of the Royal Family among Americans - behind only his brother Prince William.
But William, Harry, Kate and King Charles were all more popular than Meghan - the only US citizen on the list.
Harry has spoken at length about the constant pressure of being in the spotlight and the strain this has on his relationship.
At the beginning of the year, a close friend of the prince told the Mail the barrage of criticism serves only to intensify his loyalty to Meghan.
Earlier this year he lost his attempt to overturn the Home Office's decision regarding his family's security entitlement - a ruling he furiously described as a 'good old-fashioned Establishment stitch-up'
'It's horrible for him to know that people don't like his wife,' said Harry's friend.
'He adores her and doesn't think she deserves any of the backlash or criticism that has been thrown at her over the past few years.'
Satire is seen as an important tool with which to poke fun at those in positions of power.
It is a simple fact that as long as the duke and duchess are in the public eye, they will be held to a high standard and mocked for any perceived shortfall of this.
There is a reason shows such as South Park and Family Guy have continued to produce episodes into their 20th seasons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
32 minutes ago
- The Independent
Poll sees Reform UK take nine-point lead over Labour
An Ipsos poll indicates Reform UK has a significant nine-point lead over Labour, with 34 per cent of the vote share compared to Labour 's 25 per cent. The survey also shows the Conservatives at a record low of 15 per cent, marking their lowest ever result recorded by Ipsos and Reform's highest. The poll suggests a potential scenario where Nigel Farage could become prime minister if a general election were held immediately, though the next election is not expected until 2028. Labour 's popularity has significantly declined, with only 19 per cent of respondents satisfied with Sir Keir Starmer's performance, and a high proportion of Labour and Tory voters defecting to Reform. Reform UK recently experienced internal turmoil with the resignation of chairman Zia Yusuf following a dispute involving new MP Sarah Pochin.
The Independent
37 minutes ago
- The Independent
Reform UK surges to highest-ever rating in polls, new survey suggests
Nigel Farage 's Reform UK party has taken a dramatic nine-point lead over Labour, a new poll has revealed. The Ipsos survey showed Reform had 34 per cent of the vote share, compared to Labour's dwindling 25 per cent. This could mean that if a general election were held tomorrow, Mr Farage could be elected prime minister - but the next election is not expected to be until 2028 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the Conservatives had only 15 per cent of the estimated vote share in the lowest result ever recorded by Ipsos, and the highest ever for Reform. The figures from the polling of 1,180 Brits show Labour's plunging popularity, after winning the 2024 general election with the biggest majority since Tony Blair. Only 19 per cent say they are satisfied with the work he is doing, while 73 per cent were dissatisfied, according to the poll. The figures showed that 54 per cent of Labour voters and 48 per cent of Tory voters have changed their support, with a high proportion of defectors from both going to Reform. If that played out, there would be just 10 Conservative seats while Labour would be reduced from 403 to 140. Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said: 'The disappointment with Labour is clear, even among those who voted for the party in 2024. 'We know from Ipsos research how difficult it has been to shift entrenched public pessimism over the cost of living, immigration, and the state of public services. 'So far, Britons do not think Labour is delivering the tangible change they were hoping for in 2024.' Earlier this month, Reform was hit with chaos after the man brought in by Nigel Farage to professionalise the party quit following a row with their newest MP. Zia Yusuf, a Muslim businessman, described new Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin as 'dumb' after she challenged Keir Starmer over the legality of women wearing the burqa in the UK during Prime Minister's Questions. After fury broke out about his comment, Mr Yusuf, who had been the target of anger by many activists over several months, announced his resignation. He wrote on X: '11 months ago, I became chairman of Reform. I've worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30 per cent, quadrupled its membership and delivered historic electoral results. 'I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.'
Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The reason Brooklyn Beckham has decided to set up home in LA with wife Nicola Peltz is revealed as couple's £11m Hollywood mansion exposes new twist in family feud
The real reason behind Brooklyn Beckham 's decision to give up his life in London and buy an £11 million mansion in LA has been revealed, exposing a shocking new twist in the family feud. The aspiring chef, 26, and his actress wife Nicola Peltz are in the midst of a heart-breaking rift with his parents, which led to them shunning David's epic 50th birthday celebrations. It has been claimed that Brooklyn's decision to purchase a new home in LA and put down roots in the American city was tied to him wanting to create permanent distance from his parents and their base in London and the Cotswolds. However, an insider has revealed to MailOnline that the decision was made because Brooklyn simply feels more at-home in LA after spending much of his childhood living in the US, and it has always been home to his American wife. The source shared: 'This house has nothing to do with family dynamics. David and Victoria also own property in the US, this is no different. 'Both Nicola and Brooklyn's careers are based in Los Angeles, and Brooklyn spent part of his childhood there while his father played for LA Galaxy. 'During that time, he attended school in LA for several years and built a life and friendships in the city. LA has always felt like home to him.' These revelations came as it's reported that the financial aspect of Brooklyn's new home that has sparked some tensions between his parents, and Nicola's father, billionaire Nelson Peltz. The Sun are reporting that Brooklyn does not entirely own the five-bedroom mansion, with a majority of the property owned by Nicola. Sources are now claiming that David and Victoria now feel their son is 'trapped,' especially after he signed an iron-clad prenup before he and Nicola married in 2022. However, the Peltzs have accused the Beckhams of being 'tight' and failing to support their son. It's thought that Brooklyn and Nicola's new home was largely paid for using her trust fund money, but as the creator of the fund, Nelson had to sign off releasing the funds, and the couple also contributed work savings when buying the property. Referencing David and Victoria, a source said: 'When it came to buying this house, of course they weren't just going to hand their son millions of pounds — what sort of message does that send? 'Nelson Peltz, on the other hand, is a billionaire investor and he and his wife Claudia regard Nicola, their little girl, as the apple of their eye. 'Understandably, they want to indulge her and ensure she never struggles — they expected the Beckhams, worth half a billion themselves, might match them penny for penny. Or, at least, chip in with financials as and when. 'That hasn't always happened, so they are annoyed and telling people it's a bit tight, which would utterly enrage David and Vic if they knew.' A source close to David and Victoria has disputed this, branding it 'nonsense.' And another close to Brooklyn has also hit back at claims by his parents that his 'trapped' by the arrangement They told MailOnline: 'It's disappointing—and frankly absurd—that anyone would try to twist Nicola and Brooklyn's marriage, and this meaningful milestone of home ownership, into something toxic. 'Their relationship is grounded in love, respect, and commitment. 'The suggestion that Brooklyn is 'trapped' isn't just false—it's a deliberately cruel and baseless narrative aimed at undermining a strong, loving marriage.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Brooklyn Beckham, and David and Victoria Beckham for further comment. It comes after Brooklyn appeared to fail to publicly acknowledge Father's Day, despite his parents publicly reaching out. David had told his children: 'I will always be there, no matter what' in an emotional Father's Day Instagram post. He shared pictures of Victoria and their four children Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13, laughing and looking cheery in happier times. Subtly reaching out to his eldest son, David insisted he will always be around to support all his children, even if times get tough. He wrote: 'My most important & favourite job in life is being a dad... I'm so proud of all of you and like daddy ( sorry boys ) tells you every single day I will always be here for you no matter what... 'Mummy thank you for doing the most important part and making me a father there is no greater gift in life than making me a dad... Happy Father's Day... I love you kiddies more than you could imagine.. @victoriabeckham @brooklynpeltzbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven @tedbeckhamdavid.' David continued marking the day by sharing throwback snaps of his children to his Instagram stories, including Brooklyn, and tagged him in each individual capture. Brooklyn's brother Romeo's ex-girlfriend Kim Turnbull had been at the centre of the row after Nicola reportedly claimed that she felt uncomfortable around her, with sources close to the US heiress saying that Kim had dated Brooklyn when they were teenagers, which she has now denied in a statement. Sharing a statement on her Instagram page on Monday, Kim said: 'I've avoided speaking on this topic to prevent adding fuel to the fire, however it's come to a point where I feel the need to address it so I can move on. 'I will not continue to receive harassment or be embarrassed on the basis of lies, to fit a certain narrative. 'I have never been romantically involved in ANY capacity at ANY point with the person in question. David and Victoria reportedly feel their son is 'trapped,' but Nelson has reportedly accused Brooklyn's parents of being 'tight' (Nicola pictured with her father and mother Claudia) 'Nothing between us has occurred further than a school friendship at age 16. I would like to remove myself from the ongoing conversation & set the record straight for the sake of everyone involved.' Things came to a head when Brooklyn and Nicola were no shows at any of David's 50th birthday celebrations last month, with The Mail revealing that Kim has been made the 'scapegoat' in the feud. They failed to attend any of football legend David's five celebrations to mark his milestone birthday, including celebrations in Miami, London, Paris the Cotswolds and a boys fishing trip to Scotland. Brooklyn then seemed to fail to publicly acknowledge his father's Knighthood for his services to sport and charity as part of the King's Birthday Honours list. David, 50, said over the weekend: 'It's been an emotional week I must admit. For me and for my family. It's obviously very special. 'It's a huge honour, but one that has been shared with myself and my family and so, it's been emotional.'
