The Princess of Canada is a “sorority girl, actress, influencer, victim”, while her husband, the prince, has written a tell-all book about his family and the media called “Waaagh!”. The latest episode of South Park, which is based around two characters who look almost identical to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry is not exactly kind to its stars.
But according to a spokesperson speaking on behalf of the Sussexes, reports that the couple are furious about their portrayal are not accurate. “It’s all frankly nonsense,” a representative told the Guardian. “Totally baseless, boring reports.”
The episode, entitled The Worldwide Privacy Tour, sees the couple fly their private jet around the world in a high-profile publicity blitz intended to stop people talking about them. They carry placards saying “Stop looking at us!”, chanting “We want privacy!” as they tour Paris, India and areas of Australian countryside populated only by kangaroos.
The response follows days of articles stating that the Duchess of Sussex was distinctly unhappy about Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s depiction of the couple. The Spectator had claimed that she was “upset and overwhelmed” by the show and that she was “annoyed by South Park but refuses to watch it all” – despite it being unclear who its source was.
A Fox News source even went as far as to suggest that the episode could result in legal action. Royal commentator Neil Sean claimed that the Sussexes’ representatives were now watching the series closely for any more attacks. “According to sources close to the ex-royals, it appears that, like so many things with Meghan and Harry, this may have legal ramifications attached,” he said – seemingly incorrectly. “Their legal team are casting an eye over the episode to see what is wrong and what could be turned into something more sinister.”
In the episode, the royal couple move into the house opposite character Kyle’s, as part of their quest for a life free from media intrusion and attention. This attempt sees the prince play a drum kit loudly in the street outside his house and yell: “Hey you! What you looking at? You ever heard of privacy?” They conduct late-night fireworks displays intended to stop people from noticing them, while the princess declares: “How many more princes and his wives have to live in this nightmare?”
PR experts have suggested that the wrong response to the episode could have negative ramifications for the couple. US celebrity publicity expert Matt Yanofsky told the Mirror that: “Meghan Markle is divisive, and South Park is playing on that image, so it won’t impact her.” However, Yanofksy claims that if she were to lash out at the animated comedy: “It could impact her differently.”
Judging by the Sussexes’ comment, it doesn’t look as if the couple will be attacking Parker and Stone any time soon.