'Appalling': British media lambasted for harsh response to Harry and Meghan's exit

The British media has been slammed for their intense response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step down as senior members of the Royal family.

Harry and Meghan made the shocking announcement on Thursday, reportedly without consulting the Queen, Prince Charles or Prince William.

"We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the couple’s statement on Instagram said.

"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent."

The couple said they intend to split their time between the UK and North America.

British media take aim at Harry and Meghan

The British media, who Harry and Meghan criticised just months ago, swiftly responded to the couple’s decision - with large personalities such as Piers Morgan dubbing them “the two most spoiled brats in royal history.”

The outspoken Good Morning Britain co-host and Daily Mail contributor has been a long-time critic of Meghan and has since called for their titles to be removed.

“I’ve seen some disgraceful royal antics in my time, but for pure arrogance, entitlement, greed, and wilful disrespect, nothing has ever quite matched the behaviour of the 'Duke and Duchess of Sussex’,” he wrote.

“I put inverted commas around those titles because I sincerely hope they won't exist much longer.”

Morgan said the couple “want the glitz, the glamour, the splendour and the stupendous wealth….they just don't want to have to actually earn it.”

Similar sentiments have been reiterated on an array of platforms.

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Virginia Blackburn, a columnist for the Daily Express, likened the couple to Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.

Edward VIII gave up his position on the throne in 1936 after falling for the divorced American just months into his reign as King.

“I hope history stops repeating itself right now for Harry’s own sake because similar episodes in the past did not end well. Edward VIII had a pointless life, as pointless as Harry’s Great Aunt Margaret, another Royal who thought duty should take second place to having a good time,” Blackburn wrote.

“It’s hard to escape the conclusion that having grown up in a country that considers the Kennedys to be aristocracy, Meghan didn’t understand that being a Windsor is not like being a celebrity,” she continued.

Rachael Bletchley with The Mirror said “Harry has selfishly turned his back on the institution she has fought to modernise and secure for him and his children.”

Eamonn Holmes, a TV presenter and radio host with talkRADIO, said he has no sympathy for Meghan.

“I just find her incredibly irritating. I’ve never met her but I look at her and I think ‘I don’t think I’d like you in real life.’ Awful, woke, weak, manipulative, spoilt…” he said.

English media personality Katie Hopkins also chimed in, saying “Markle abandoned her own family. Now she has forced Harry to abandon his.”

“Good riddance to her. Leave our Royal Family alone,” she Tweeted.

While some people have agreed with such statements, numerous people have taken to social media to defend Harry and Meghan.

“Seeing the press reaction to Megan and Harry’s announcement, just confirms why they’re right to step away. Good luck to them,” one person said.

“Britain's press is appalling. As long as it remains unchanged the UK will sink,” another wrote.

“What’s wrong with someone saying ‘I’ve met the person I love, she’s more important than putting up with criticism & intrusion so we’ve decided to go, be happy and pay for ourselves’ Nothing wrong, everything to like,” a third person chimed in.

“The state of our press! They where vultures with Diana and still the same today!” another commenter said, noting Harry’s own concerns.

Harry lashes out at UK media

In October, the couple released a statement announcing they will take legal action against The Mail on Sunday and its publisher, Associated Newspapers

“Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son,” Harry said.

“There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”

The Duke of Sussex said his deepest fear is history repeating itself.

“I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces,” he said.

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