The release of the final three episodes of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix documentary has ignited a fresh wave of controversy, with one particular revelation concerning their son, Archie, drawing significant criticism.
In the series, Meghan Markle recounts a terrifying incident where a heater caught fire in the room of the then-infant Archie while the family were on a royal tour in South Africa. The nanny was alerted by the smell of smoke, preventing a potential tragedy. Meghan described the event as a 'staggering' and traumatic experience.
Public Backlash and Accusations of Exploitation
This deeply personal anecdote, however, has not been met with universal sympathy. Prominent figures and public commentators have accused the couple of exploiting a private, frightening moment for commercial content. The choice to include such a vulnerable story about their child in a globally streamed series has been labelled as a breach of privacy and a calculated move for publicity.
Chrissy Teigen, the model and television personality, publicly questioned the decision on social media, echoing the sentiments of many viewers who felt the story was too private to be shared on such a platform.
A Pattern of Privacy Paradox?
This incident highlights the central paradox that continues to surround Harry and Meghan's post-royal life: their very public campaign for privacy. While they have consistently spoken about the need to protect their family from media intrusion, their decision to monetise intimate family stories through multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify often places them directly in the public eye.
The backlash serves as a potent reminder that the court of public opinion remains deeply divided on the Sussexes' approach to sharing their narrative, especially when it involves their young children.
