The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey has reignited debate over the British monarchy's relationship with the media, with Prince Harry referencing an 'invisible contract' between the royals and reporters. This arrangement, he suggested, involved orchestrated public exposure in exchange for privacy behind palace gates.
Meghan Markle noted that tabloids have holiday parties hosted by the Palace, indicating a close-knit relationship. However, she described a 'media frenzy' that severely impacted the couple's mental health and contributed to their decision to step back from royal duties last year. Prince Harry also expressed fear of 'history repeating itself', alluding to his mother Diana's death while being pursued by paparazzi.
Dr Laura Clancy, a media lecturer at Lancaster University, explained that the monarchy and media have historically benefited from each other. The Palace uses the press to communicate with the public, while media outlets attract readers with royal stories. In recent decades, royals have navigated a 'tabloid age' of gossip, with Meghan facing intense scrutiny.
Data from Rise at Seven showed 74,000 articles about Meghan since the couple announced their plans to step back, and searches for the duchess surged 600% after the Oprah interview was announced. Despite this interest, Dr Clancy argues that the British public knows little about the inner workings of the monarchy-media relationship, such as the rota system granting some journalists privileged access.
Informal arrangements like the 'pressure cooker agreement' allowed paparazzi to leave Princes William and Harry alone during their education in exchange for staged photo opportunities. This continues online with carefully staged Instagram posts. However, the rise of digital news has altered this dynamic, with publishers prioritising quantity and speed to attract audiences, making royals a high-interest topic.
In February, when the interview and Meghan's pregnancy were announced, 6,080 articles were written. In the first week of March alone, 25,894 pieces were published, a 600% increase. This volume underscores the enduring public fascination with the monarchy and the media's race to cover it.
