Let's Not Scrutinize Meghan Markle On Her Big Day

All eyes around the globe are set on Meghan Markle, as she readies herself to step out to wed Prince Harry at the Windsor Castle today. The couple who announced their engagement in November last year, has managed to course through a very public courtship, only to walk into an even more public wedding ceremony. Just a few days ago, the news around Markle’s father not attending her wedding due to a heart condition, created quite a scandal for the royal household.

Father of the bride Thomas Markle's absence from the wedding wouldn't have created so much buzz, had it not been preceded by the news that he worked with the paparazzi and staged photos that showed him as a loving father, in an attempt to recast his image. Social media and newspapers just didn't let go of the news, and eventually this tit-bit of gossip has become a major point of focus.

This interest in dissecting the Markles' personal matter so publicly just shows how cruel and insensitive our obsession with these celebrity weddings is.

For a couple, their wedding is one of the most important milestones in their relationship. It unites them in the bond of matrimony in the presence of their loved ones. A wedding day is about music, bridesmaids, the wedding altar beyond which lies a world of possibilities to be appraised together and tear jerking vows. Not unless you are a celebrity like Harry and Meghan.

Because then your wedding day is all about public scrutiny of what you wore, how you waved or kissed on the balcony, and all the dirty scoop. Her wedding dress will be compared to those worn by other royal brides. People will document Markle's every gesture and analyse it to access her worthiness as a Prince's bride.

Do we even care about the prince and his bride at all? The insensitive way in which media and common folks tore into the matter of Markle’s father not attending his daughter’s wedding says otherwise.

People don’t care about their sentiments, or their need for privacy. It is not their problem if all the media scrutiny and social media comments on her familial issues get discussed so publicly. She is going to be royalty soon, and she must pay the price. Look how perfectly Kate Middleton slipped into her royal role. She stood gracefully hours after giving birth to her third child, while the shutterbugs clicked her from every angle and fashionistas critiqued her choice of maternity wear. People expect the same obedience from Megan. Oblige us by posing for pictures and tolerate our meddling in your private life with a smile plastered on your faces.

I am sure Markle knew what she was getting into when she said yes. In fact, she is being tutored into behaving like a royalty. But beneath the royal gloss, she is still a woman. All the controversy around why her father would not walk her down the aisle must hurt.

All the pressure to be the perfect royal bride must be killing the charm of getting married.

She must be conscious of each breath she would take, when she is led down the aisle by Prince Charles.

People who truly adore Markle, should stop auditing the biggest day in her life. Stop looking at her as someone who won a jackpot. She is an ordinary woman who is struggling to stay put under so much pressure. It is not easy being Meghan Markle or Duchess of Sussex, as she would be formally known from now on. The one gift which we can give her today is to stop analysing her life and let her enjoy the moment.

Picture Credit:  Chicago Tribune

Also Read : The Feminist Princess: Meghan Markle And Feminism

Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section.  The views expressed are author’s own.