Transcript
A (0:03)
For years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan have been tanking in popularity. Meghan is now the second most disliked royal, beaten only by the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. So why this faux royal tour down under now when the British monarchy is arguably on the nose? I'm Samantha Selinger Morris, and you're listening to the Morning Edition from the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. Today, senior writer Bevan Shields on the recent bullying accusations against Prince Harry, what they're doing here this week and how much they're charging us for the pleasure. It's April 14th. Welcome, Bevan, back to the podcast.
B (0:46)
Thank you for having me. Again.
A (0:47)
Okay, let's kick off because Harry and Meghan's official tour starts in Melbourne today, and surely you could not pick a worse time for a tour connected with the British Foyle family.
B (0:58)
Right, well, there's a bit going on. There is a small scandal I'm sure listeners have heard about involving Harry's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who's in all sorts of strife. But there is also, you know, a lot of other things going on that make this a little bit weird. We've got a huge crisis, global crisis in the war in Iran. Cost of living is already a big issue in the UK and Australia, only exacerbated by the war. And we also now have the news that Harry is being sued by a charity that he set up in 2006 in honour of his mother, Princess Diana.
A (1:42)
Just days out from arriving in Australia, Prince Harry has some fresh legal woes, being sued for defamation by a charity he co founded. He claims he orchestrated a campaign against it after resigning last year. Relationship now so damaged, it's descended into a legal battle.
B (2:01)
There's been a massive brawl between him and the people who've been running the charity. It's now spilled out into the public arena. Let's see where this goes. It may not. May be a bit of a flash in the pan, but again, he's back in the news and we've got this collision of all these things going on that does make it a really weird and awkward time for them to be flying to Australia to dispense their, you know, brand of wisdom to Australians such that it is.
A (2:28)
Okay, so why in God's name are they here? Why? Why are they here and why are they here now?
B (2:32)
Well, if you asked them, they would say because we're such wonderful people and we're here to, you know, make everyone feel good and talk to charities that align with our values. If you ask Me and other cynical people like me. This is about money and reputation. So, yes, they are doing some visits to children's hospitals and mental health charities and things like that while they're here. There aren't a lot of those, to be honest. And they're very stage managed. They're very closely managed. But what this really is about is money.
