Meghan Markle’s exit from royal life was the kind of seismic event that commands the world’s attention. In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step back from their royal duties. Among those ventures was Meghan’s Netflix series, Archetypes, a show that, although ambitious, has received mixed reviews. Would Meghan have been better off sticking to her royal duties instead of pursuing fame and fortune in Hollywood?
This article, Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show Proves She Should Have Stayed in the Royal Fold, explains how Meghan Markle’s Netflix production might be evidence of a life her royal majesty could have lived, noting what the former actress faces outside the monarchy — and what she could have achieved if she had remained in the fold.
The Idea Behind Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show: Archetypes
Archetypes: Hosted by the Duchess Meghan, Archetypes is a podcast-style Netflix series featuring intimate conversations with stars, activists, and experts about the pressures of tracking women’s roles in society through stereotypes. The show’s premise is to dismantle cultural labels and to talk about what it’s like for women when they’re pigeonholed into specific roles, whether it’s the stereotype of the “angry black woman” or the “dumb blonde” archetype.
The concept seemed promising. Meghan has been vocal about her advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality for some time, and Archetypes seemed to be a way for her to continue this legacy. The show includes conversations with heavy hitters, like Serena Williams, and addresses issues like mental health, societal expectations, and personal identity.
But the reception has been tepid, despite the star power and plentiful conversations of consequence. Reviewers have pointed out that though the show covers significant topics, it lacks the bite that might permit it to leave a real cultural footprint.
A Celebrity-Focused Show
One of the main critiques of Archetypes is that it lacks a serious discussion of the societal issues it seeks to address, instead allowing people to speak of their struggles from the safety of their celebrity status. With viewers hoping for meaty conversations around gender roles, they found a frequently self-involved Meghan Markle repeatedly bringing on celebrities to discuss their own archetypes. And while this is insightful, many thought the show could have gone further in exploring the real-world implications of gender bias and societal pressures.
In an episode with actress and activist Priyanka Chopra, for example, the conversation skewed heavily in the direction of their shared experience of being viewed through a narrow cultural framework. Though these personal anecdotes were helpful, the episodes sometimes came across as a list of celebrity gossip — as opposed to earnest exploration of topics with which women contend day to day.
Critical Reception and Mixed Reactions
Though the show has received generally positive reviews for Meghan’s thoughtfulness and her framing of women’s empowerment, it has not been wholly embraced by critics or viewers who wanted a more radical or education-focused approach to the topics it covered. Here’s a look at some of the main reactions:
- Apathy: Many expected much more diligent and researched content but turned up to discussions that felt a little lightweight at times.
- The Show Needs to Stop Putting So Much Emphasis on Meghan’s Personal Life: Some critics pointed out that the show too frequently returned to Meghan’s own encounters with labels, leaving less time to talk about the more general issues of gender disparity.
- The Missed Opportunity for Educational Impact: You feel like the show could have taught you a lot more and done a better job of shedding light on systemic issues as well as providing you with things that you could do.
While Archetypes does address some important issues, its presentation has led many people to feel that it is a missed opportunity. And this brings us to a larger question — Was Meghan Markle more fit for the position she walked away from, a royal position that might be leveraged into doing real good?
Meghan Markle’s Royal Power
When Meghan Markle became a member of the royal family in 2018, she was an instant global figure. Meghan, whose advocacy includes gender equality, racial justice, and mental health, had the power of the royal platform — the ability to reach millions of people — at her disposal. At the United Nations and elsewhere, she was using her platform to change the world for the better.
Royal Influence
Within the royal family, having access to international forums, networks that flung open the doors to draw attention to vital issues. Here are some of the main ways Meghan used her royal platform:
- Global Reach: Meghan had access to some of the most influential platforms in the world as a royal and had the ability to make a lasting difference on issues such as gender equality, mental health awareness, and racial justice.
- Charity Work: Meghan was heavily involved in various charities. Through her work with organizations such as The United Nations Women and the Invictus Games, she was able to promote awareness and funding for causes across the globe.
- Positive Public Image: Meghan charmed audiences with her authenticity and her efforts to stand up for marginalized communities, which resonated with younger generations who admired her advocacy.
What Meghan Markle’s Royal Role Will Leave Behind
Now, had Meghan Markle remained within the royal family, she would’ve still been doing the work that she’s already doing. That role gave her credibility, and her affiliation with the monarchy enabled her to capture the attention of world leaders, the media, and the public. Her status as a royal would have still given her a platform to speak out about global issues.
- Continuing to Support Vulnerable Communities: As a member of the royal family, Meghan may have been able to continue her efforts to support vulnerable communities, but with a more significant platform and backing.
- Promoting Growth: Meghan used her position in the royal family to make powerful speeches and appearances that drew attention to very important causes, and by remaining in her royal role, she could have done a lot more to focus attention on a variety of humanitarian issues.
In the long run, Meghan could have left a great legacy as a royal, a legacy for generations to come. But her decision to walk away has raised questions about whether she might have accomplished more as a member of the monarchy.
Life After Royalty: Finances and the Media Landscape
After stepping down from royal life, Meghan and Prince Harry entered into lucrative agreements with Netflix and Spotify, signaling their new focus on a media and entertainment life. But those deals haven’t been without their own set of challenges, and while they have made them financially independent, these agreements have come at a cost.
The Costs of Hollywood Fame
Working in Hollywood seems to provide lots of freedom to spend but it also makes it all the harder—especially if your name is Meghan Markle and your private life has been subjected to unending media scrutiny. A transition from a position as a small cog in the world’s most recognizable institution to a figure at the center of media ventures, it has not been upwards and onwards as many anticipated.
- The challenges of being a celebrity: Meghan’s personal life tends to be front-page news, and her media roles haven’t made as big a splash as expected. Backlash has been especially loud around her Netflix endeavors, such as Archetypes.
- Public Perception: The royal family’s relationship with the media is tightly regulated and closely linked to public service. In sharp relief are Meghan’s evolution into a track of celebrity-driven world, and the many who wonder if she is serving society at hand, or has become a commercially successful brand.
While the couple’s media projects have granted them some financial independence, they have not afforded them the same cultural or societal influence they had as royals.
Final Thoughts on Meghan Markle Outside the Royal Family
In hindsight on Meghan Markle’s journey, it’s evident that her role as royalty presented her with a rare opportunity to bring about genuine, lasting change. Archetypes may be her highest-profile post-royal foray, but her impact appeared far stronger when she had the full backing of the British monarchy.
Sure, Meghan’s Netflix show gives us an inside look into the women’s empowerment space and the challenges surrounding women in public life, but it’s also a reminder of what could have been. Her exit from the royal family has turned her, it seems, into a high-profile presence on the wrong side of the tabloids, one that is lucrative but that doesn’t quite hold the same merit as her royal role did.
Despite her intense passion for social change, Meghan Markle was arguably at her most impactful in a royal role, where her platform was uniquely positioned to elevate her efforts. Now, as she adjusts to life outside the monarchy, her Netflix television show is a reminder of the opportunities she perhaps could have had by remaining a part of it.
FAQs
1. What led Meghan Markle to quit the royal family?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quit royal duties in droves in 2020, a move they said was where they wanted to have privacy, financial independence, and be a family. They also wanted to escape the relentless media scrutiny that had stalked them as working royals.
2. What is Meghan Markle’s Netflix series Archetypes about?
Archetypes is a podcast-styled show where Meghan Markle explores the societal stereotypes that women are subject to and chats with celebrities and experts on topics such as gender, identity, and social expectations.
3. So why has Archetypes gotten mixed reviews?
While the show covers important topics, it has been criticized for not delving enough into the issues it explores. Others believe that the focus on Meghan’s personal situation reduces a more wide-ranging and profound discussion about gender inequality.
4. What did Meghan Markle do to use her royal position in service of social change?
Meghan Markle used to be a royal, and when she was, she promoted women’s rights work, mental health awareness campaigns, and **
