When Russia launched an attack on Ukraine last Thursday the world watched in horror as civilians were killed and injured, airports were shut down and refugees fled to neighbouring countries in an attempt to escape the violence.
Figureheads, celebrities and media quickly began to show their support for victims of the conflict. Among them were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who shared a statement on their non-profit organisation The Archewell Foundation’s website.
‘Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same,' they said.
Two days later, William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, followed suit. ‘In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet [Ukrainian] President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future,' they wrote on Twitter. 'Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future. W & C.’
The tone of the statements is broadly similar. They both convey their support and solidarity for a nation under attack.
Yet despite these similarities, Harry and Meghan were vilified, while Kate and William were praised. ‘This will really rattle Putin,’ replied Meghan’s number one fan Piers Morgan, in response to her statement. While a Daily Mail headline simply said: ‘Putin is shaking in his boots.'
After Kate and William posted, the response was notably more respectful: 'William and Kate tweet support for Kyiv in a rare political comment as Cambridges recall the 'privilege' of meeting President Zelensky and his wife in 2020' said the Mail. ‘SHOW OF SOLIDARITY Prince William and Kate Middleton 'stand with people of Ukraine' as they 'fight for their future in Russian invasion,’ wrote The Sun.
While Meghan and Harry were lambasted for standing in support with a country thrust into war against its will from their ‘California mansion’, nothing was said about Will and Kate, whose main residence is Kensington Palace.
New Zealand comment writer Daniela Elser said: ‘It’s not that Harry and Meghan can’t or shouldn’t speak up but the slightly pitiful reality is their words carry no more official heft than Miley Cyrus’s intervention who has posted on social media: “I am standing in solidarity with everyone in Ukraine who is affected by this attack and with our global community who is calling for an immediate end to this violence”.'
But whether Miley Cyrus, Meghan and Harry, or William and Kate is saying it, it’s a decidedly good thing that people with a huge amount of reach and influence are raising awareness and showing support for what is considered by many as the darkest time for Europe since World War Two. People of influence’s contribution to a global effort aren’t something to be ridiculed and scoffed at. They have power, which can be harnessed to create change.
Because, really, none of this is about Meghan and Harry, or William and Kate, and how they’re treated in comparison to one another—not this time. This is about the many Ukrainians who have died and the thousands more who have been forced to flee their country in fear.
Royals, celebrities, and politicians have long commented on world affairs and as long as their contributions to the conversation are accurate, well-researched and helpful to the nation in need, they have a place in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s fight to protect his people and their country.
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