The Scapegoat Duchess: Meghan Markle and the Psychology of Public Hatred
Brigid Delaney, in a thought-provoking analysis, questions the intense public animosity directed at Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. She writes, 'I cannot imagine why anyone at a remove would have anything other than a mild or neutral view of Harry and Meghan.' This sentiment underscores a puzzling phenomenon where the couple's choices, largely irrelevant to the public, spark disproportionate outrage.
The Shadow of Diana: From Adoration to Demonisation
Delaney draws a stark contrast between the public's relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales, and Meghan. For decades, Diana was enveloped in a hysterical adoration, described by Clive James as a 'besotted walk-on mesmerized by the trajectory of a burning angel.' In contrast, Meghan occupies the opposite end of the spectrum, perceived as a darkness to Diana's light.
Data from Brandwatch reveals the scale of this negativity. In 2019 alone, Meghan appeared in 21,100 negative news stories across 29,000 publications, roughly five times more than Catherine, Princess of Wales. This media frenzy persists, even during private visits like their recent trip to Australia.
Financing Independence and Public Fury
To fund their independence from the royal family, Harry and Meghan have embarked on commercial ventures, including a memoir, a Netflix series, and wellness seminars. Delaney notes that these banal projects seem to enrage the public in a way that defies logic. She suggests this reaction may reveal hidden aspects of British character, much like the inconsolable grief over Diana's death did.
Christopher Hitchens remarked on Diana's death, 'The orgy of sentimentality from the British people was shocking to behold. She became a Christ-like figure.' This marked a shift in Britain's psyche from imperial to emotional. Meghan, however, has been cast in a sacrificial role, a photonegative of adoration, serving as a scapegoat.
René Girard's Scapegoat Theory Applied to Meghan
Delaney invokes the work of French American philosopher René Girard, who argued that societies are held together by shared violence through the periodic sacrifice of a scapegoat. This victim absorbs communal tensions, providing relief and unity. Meghan fits Girard's criteria perfectly:
- Inside and Outside: As an outsider who married into the British establishment, she straddles community boundaries.
- Transgression: Narratives accuse her of corrupting Harry and turning him against his family.
- Unanimous Hostility: The disproportionate negative press and low public opinion reflect a collective blame.
Girard identifies scapegoats by the disproportionality of response, where punishment exceeds any plausible crime, and hostility lingers beyond rational grievance. Meghan's treatment exemplifies this, with accusations of 'wokeness' framing her within culture wars.
Societal Anxieties and Media Exploitation
The hostility towards Meghan coincides with a period of extraordinary anxiety in British and Australian public life, including Brexit, the pandemic, cost-of-living crises, and national identity confusion. In the media, Meghan has become a convenient explanation for the monarchy's problems, such as Harry's family split and perceived corruption.
Delaney argues that the modern scapegoating industrial complex is driven by media that profits from rage-baiting. Meghan provides good fodder for this cycle, making it difficult to stop. She reflects, 'It's a terrible thing to start off being a princess and quickly end up as a scapegoat.'
Denying Humanity: From Saints to Devils
Ultimately, casting figures as either Christlike or demonic denies their humanity. Delaney emphasises that Meghan is not a devil, and Diana wasn't a saint. Parasocial relationships say more about society than the individuals involved. By pushing them into simplistic shapes, we lose sight of their complexity.
In conclusion, Delaney's analysis invites reflection on why we need scapegoats and how public figures like Meghan become lightning rods for deeper societal tensions. The ongoing negativity serves as a mirror to our collective anxieties, revealing more about us than them.
