Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Won't Appear in The Crown

The story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has captured the world's attention, with their lives and the challenges they face often in the limelight. However, the popular Netflix series The Crown has announced that it will not be portraying these modern royal figures. This decision has sparked curiosity and debate. In this article, we delve into why this choice was made, offering insights directly from the show's creator, Peter Morgan.

The 20-Year Rule

At the heart of this decision lies a simple yet significant rule set by the show's creator, Peter Morgan. According to him, "I have a 20-year rule for royal storylines." Morgan explains that this rule is essential for the evolution of the show from a factual documentary-style narrative to a more passionately theatrical and metaphorical one. Essentially, he believes that royal events and relationships need “perspective and distance” before they can be adequately dramatized. This is crucial for maintaining the artistic integrity of the show, which aims to capture the essence of real-life events through the lens of fiction.

Why Current Events are Not Suitable

The primary reason for not including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in The Crown is the relative recency of their story. Peter Morgan emphasizes that the royal couple is still in the midst of their journey, and it is too early to fully comprehend and dramatize their story effectively. Moreover, their storylines are also intertwined with ongoing investigations and personal matters that are currently under investigation, making it challenging to portray them in a way that aligns both with historical accuracy and dramatic storytelling.

Modern Royal Figures and Journalistic Timeliness

Morgan also stated, “I just think you get so much more interesting [with time]. Meghan and Harry are in the middle of their journey and I dont know what their journey is or how it will end.” He further elaborated, noting that the show needs to avoid becoming too journalistic. In his opinion, dramatizing events happening right now would strip the narrative of the necessary perspective and metaphorical depth. He added, "I sort of have in my head a 20-year rule. That is enough time and enough distance to really understand something to understand its role to understand its position to understand its relevance."

He continued by explaining that certain aspects of Prince Andrew and Meghan Markle's stories may not be fully clear for the next two decades. Morgan mentioned, "We wont know where in the scheme of things Prince Andrew or indeed Meghan Markle or Harry will ever appear. To be a dramatist I think you need perspective and you need to also allow for the opportunity for metaphor." In other words, it is not just about the completion of events but also the evolving understanding of their significance over time.

Metaphor and Analogy

Morgan even suggested that there may be a way to tell the story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle through analogy and metaphor. He provided historical examples, such as Wallis Simpson, Edward VII, and Diana and Prince Charles, all of which have had their fair share of marital complications and have been portrayed metaphorically in various forms of media. He concluded, "Thereve been plenty of stories to tell without telling the story of Harry and Meghan."

By sticking to a 20-year rule, The Crown ensures that each story is artistically enhanced by the passage of time, which allows for a richer and more nuanced representation of the royal family's drama through the eyes of fiction.

In conclusion, the decision to exclude Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from The Crown is based on a principled approach to maintaining the show's quality and integrity. While their story is compelling, it needs the time and distance to be adequately dramatized, ensuring that the show remains both factual and dramatic. This approach highlights the show's commitment to capturing the essence of the royal family's history through the lens of well-developed narratives and metaphorical storytelling.