In the heart of New York’s iconic West Village, the British-themed Tea and Sympathy café has become an unlikely epicenter for discussions surrounding one of the most captivating royal sagas of our time – the Megxit drama. As tourists from across America sip their high tea and ponder the twists and turns of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries, it’s clear that the ripple effects of this royal rift have reached far beyond the shores of the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, American sentiment toward the couple appears to differ significantly from that of their British counterparts. While Meghan is viewed favorably by only 28% of Britons, a much more impressive 43% of Americans express a positive opinion of the Duchess of Sussex. American commentator Skylar Baker-Jordan attributes this divergence to the contrasting class systems and social mobility between the two countries.
“To the British, that would read as arrogance,” Baker-Jordan writes. “To Americans, it reads as ambition – and ambition is encouraged in this country. Meghan is, in many regards, the epitome of the American dream.”
However, not all Americans have been won over by Meghan’s narrative. Caroline Russo, a 52-year-old from the US, initially felt sympathetic toward the couple due to her affection for Prince Harry’s late mother, Diana. But that sentiment has since shifted, as she now perceives a “faux naivety” in Meghan’s portrayal of events.
“All this pretending that she didn’t know what she was signing up for, that she didn’t know anything about how the Royal family operates,” Russo says. “If Meghan really wanted freedom, she would reject her titles and all the privileges. But it is clear now that she probably had this all planned out from day one.”
The transatlantic gap in perception is perhaps most evident in the way Meghan’s first curtsy at Buckingham Palace is interpreted. While some Britons saw it as a mocking gesture, American viewers tended to see a humbled young woman navigating an unfamiliar tradition.
Regardless of the differing opinions, it’s clear that the Megxit saga has captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. For these tourists from Texas, the story of Harry and Meghan has all the makings of a classic fairytale with a contemporary twist – a perfect fit for America’s era of reflection.
As the dust settles on the Megxit drama, the stark differences in how it is perceived on either side of the pond offer a fascinating glimpse into the contrasting cultural attitudes and societal values that shape our perceptions of the Royal Family. Whether one views Meghan as the embodiment of the American dream or a calculated schemer, the enduring allure of the royals seems certain to keep the world captivated for years to come.
