Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's popularity continues to decline as they frequently become subjects of satire on popular TV shows and social media.
Recently, Harry faced mockery from AMC's "Interview with the Vampire." In the season finale, the show's author pokes fun at Harry's memoir "Spare" by renaming it "Prince Harry and the Prisoner of Santa Barbara." This joke underscores the couple's perceived disconnect from their public image.
This latest jab joins a series of similar attacks on Harry and Meghan across various media platforms. Beyond news headlines, the couple has been lampooned on multiple TV shows. One notable example is the cartoon satire "Family Guy," which took aim at their lucrative Netflix deal. In the episode, a servant approaches the couple lounging on sunbeds with an envelope, saying, "Sir, your millions from Netflix for no one knows what." Harry's response, "Put it with the rest of them," mocks their perceived ease of earning money without clear contributions.
Previously, the long-running American sitcom "South Park" aired an episode ridiculing the couple. The episode begins with the funeral of the Queen of Canada, a character resembling the late Queen Elizabeth II. The young couple, mirroring Harry and Meghan, are booed by the family for bashing the Canadian monarchy. They later appear on a talk show holding placards that read "We want privacy" and "Stop looking at us," highlighting the irony of their public pleas for privacy.
Back in 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals, the British TV show "Spitting Image" also mocked them. The show features exaggerated puppets acting out absurd storylines. In one scene, Harry is seen with a box of crowns, asking Meghan if they can be recycled. Meghan instructs him to toss them on the goodwill pile, a satirical take on their departure from royal duties.
American talk show host Jimmy Fallon has frequently used his platform to poke fun at the couple. Following Harry's interview promoting his memoir "Spare," Fallon joked that it was a great chance to hear Harry and Meghan's story, humorously referencing their previous interviews and documentaries. Fallon's quip, "In case you missed their two-hour sitdown with Oprah or their six-part Netflix documentary," highlights the perceived repetitiveness of their public narrative.
Channel 4's "The Windsors," a satirical series about the British royal family, also included Harry and Meghan in its storyline. In one scene, Harry tells Meghan that he offered a producer a knighthood in exchange for helping her find work. Meghan's character, upset by this, insists that she wants to succeed on her own merit, not because of her royal connections.
The trend of openly mocking Harry and Meghan gained momentum after several high-profile events. Before Bill Simmons labeled them "effing grifters," criticism of the couple was more subdued. However, following incidents like the New York City car chase and the "South Park" episode, public and media mockery became more prevalent. Simmons's blunt criticism marked a turning point, allowing for more open and widespread satire.
This shift has led to Harry and Meghan becoming regular targets of humor and criticism, a stark contrast to the earlier caution exercised by commentators like Piers Morgan, who faced backlash for his skepticism about Meghan's claims during the Oprah interview. Overall, the contentious mockery across various media highlights the couple's struggles to maintain their public image. Despite their efforts to carve out new roles away from royal duties, Harry and Meghan's attempts are often met with ridicule, painting them as out-of-touch figures trying to navigate their post-royal life.
