Is Prince Harry ‘Meghan’s hostage?’

An “archetype“is a “universally understood term or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned or emulated.” Throughout her podcast series of that name, Meghan Markle analyzed and condemned different “labels that hold women back”: “crazy,” “diva,” “bimbo.” Perhaps next season she’ll switch gears to assess her own husband’s pattern of behavior. Welcome to Archetypes episode thirteen where we will be discussing Stockholm syndrome, my special guest today is Prince Harry...

It’s an expression that has been thrown around a lot when discussing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — and it’s clear why. Prince Harry went from the fun-loving naughty royal, known for Nazi costumes, Vegas gambling and ending an interview early to jump on a helicopter in Afghanistan. Now he talks about nothing but mindfulness and unconscious bias. Even as early as October 2020, just months after Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals, Candace Owens tweeted: 

“Can somebody PLEASE pay Prince Harry’s ransom so Meghan Markle stops releasing these hostage videos? 

“I love you England but 2020 has been rough enough without us having to watch a Stockholm syndrome royal losing his soul to a D-list actress.”

Well now, it looks like everybody making the joke has been vindicated — even the British royal family’s staff have made the same observation. Robert Jobson’s latest book, Our King: Charles III, claims that a senior aide said, “Some blame Meghan Markle for the fallout, ignoring the fact that Harry seems to be the driving force in everything that happened. 

“There was a point when officials joked Harry was the victim of Stockholm syndrome, and he was Meghan’s hostage, but now most just feel Harry has turned his back on everything he has known.”

Old school friends of the runaway royal have told The Spectator that although Harry is old enough to make his own decisions, they can’t help but think he “is being heavily influenced” by his wife. One recounted a dinner party he attended when Harry attempted to introduce Meghan to his inner circle. It was described as being “overwhelmingly awkward,” with many of the young men feeling as if they were “being told off,” by the American actress. 

Jobson’s book isn’t short of bombshells. One extract reveals that after Harry and Meghan’s infamous Oprah Winfrey interview, the King and Prince William decided that “Prince Harry could no longer be trusted,” which led them to agree that “they could not meet with him alone, for fear that the conversations would be remembered somewhat differently.” The pair decided that from then on, “they would have the benefit of larger numbers, as there would always be someone else in the room.” 

The book also claims that Meghan turned down the Queen’s recommendation that Meghan go to her daughter-in-law, Sophie, Prince Edward’s wife (now the Duchess of Edinburgh), for help before her wedding day. Sophie has been described as a “second daughter” to the Queen, and is trusted in senior circles. Meghan passed up on the offer, saying “I’ve got Harry.” How different things could have been…