Members of the royal family have been depicted on TV shows countless times, in both flattering and not-so-flattering lights. But no matter how damaging the depiction, the royals have never taken any legal action. Here's why.
- From Netflix's royal drama The Crown to the more recent and dividing South Park episode, the Royal Family have been fictionalised countless times for the sake of good TV.
- Despite the masses viewing these depictions, which are more often than not unflattering, the family are reluctant to take any action, legal or otherwise. And it appears there is a very practical reason for this.
- In other royal news, Never-before-seen photos of Princess Diana, King Charles and Prince William paint intimate family portrait away from royal life.
Earlier this month, public opinion was divided as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were fictionalised in the US comedy show South Park and relentlessly mocked, with the show featuring them as characters going on a "Worldwide privacy tour."
Since the episode aired, many media outlets have speculated about whether Meghan and Harry would take legal action over the harsh joke. But following a statement from the Sussex household sharing that the couple would not take any action, calling the speculation 'totally baseless' and 'boring,' many royal fans are wondering why the couple would not sue.
Similar questions arose when it was reported that Prince Philip was upset over an episode from series two of The Crown that portrayed a fictionalised account of his sister's, Princess Cecilie's, death. While the show stuck to the true fact that she died in a plane crash on her way to England, the drama made the implication that Philip was to blame for her death, with her boarding the plane to visit him.
According to royal expert Hugo Vickers, the late Duke of Edinburgh was incredibly hurt by the episode. However, no action was taken. Again, the question of 'Why not?' was ripe.
Various PR experts have commented on how taking legal action against these portrayals will only backfire. If the royals gave their attention to the fictional depictions, it would only draw more attention to them. This in turn could take precious coverage of their royal engagements and good deeds away from them as the press focus on their reaction to whatever fictional depiction is the latest.
Instead, the family embrace their ongoing mantra of "never complain, never explain" by not taking action, legal or otherwise.
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