‘Just be quiet!’ How Andrew Neil silenced Meghan Markle in brutal rebuke
ANDREW NEIL hit-out at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their comments on the Commonwealth yesterday - not the first time the BBC man has condemned the pair after he ordered their "silence" earlier this year.
Meghan Markle and Harry announce new brand name ‘Archewell’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hit headlines once again earlier this week. It came during a virtual summit of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT). Here, the pair ventured into unsettled waters and began talking about acknowledging and scrutinising the past of the British Commonwealth in order to move forward.
They also spoke openly about racism amid the Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd.
Though not named directly by either Meghan or Harry, the Queen is the head of the Commonwealth.
Many viewed it as an indirect attack on the Royal Family – made more controversial amid the tumultuous few months Harry has had with the Windsors.
During the virtual call from their Los Angeles home, Harry said: “Certainly when you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past.
“So many people have done such an incredible job of acknowledging the past and trying to right those wrongs.
“But, I think we all acknowledge there is so much more still to do.”
Many people, including well-known faces, immediately questioned why they felt the need to hold a public discussion on the contentious political issue.
BBC journalist Andrew Neil hit back at the two on Twitter.
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He said: "What is it that the Commonwealth has done wrong?
"And since they don’t live in it, what’s it got to do with them?"
Mr Neil is known for his dogmatic approach to such issues.
He has in the past called out Meghan and Harry for their decisions to promote certain aspects of their newfound life outside royalty.
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Earlier this year, in April, the pair revealed the name and purpose of their new non-profit organisation, Archewell.
It came during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown in the West.
Mr Neil immediately reacted to the announcement, demanding their “silence”.
Taking to Twitter at the time, he wrote: "A period of silence from both would be ‘something that’s matters’ to many of us.
"Learning from Harry’s grandmother would be something that mattered a lot."
Many applauded Mr Neil for his frank reaction.
One Twitter user replied: "It will be a long time before someone manages to hit bullseye as accurately as you, sir."
Another said: "Their timing of announcements is staggeringly bad."
A third branded Meghan and Prince Harry "attention seekers".
They said: "They are both attention seekers.
"They left the UK for a quieter life and no media attention – yet they make an announcement at the inappropriate time about their charity.
"I wouldn’t pay a penny to them.
"Not funding their lifestyle in private jets, caviars or security #shameless.”
A combination of public backlash and rising social issues – for example, the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests – forced Meghan and Harry to postpone the full launch of Archewell.