Family Guy's Meghan and Harry sketch is a 'double-edged sword' for couple

26 October 2023 , 21:45

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Meghan and Harry were referenced in the new episode

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Family Guy sketch could be a "double edged sword" for the royal couple, according to a PR expert.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are featured in the new series of the hit cartoon satire. In the episode, main character Peter Griffin compares himself to the couple as he sits with a group of friends at a bar. Speaking to his pals, Peter tries to think of ways he can get money he's owed.

He then comes up with the idea to "go it alone", just like Meghan and Harry did when they stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020. The scene then cuts to the Sussexes sitting by a pool in their swimwear.

A butler waits on the couple and hands them "millions from Netflix." As he hands them the money, the butler tells Harry: "Sir, your millions from Netflix for... no-one knows what." Harry then replies: "Put it with the rest of them."

This brutal takedown of the royal couple refers to the huge deal they signed with Netflix after stepping back from The Firm. It is unknown exactly how much the deal is worth but it has been reported it could be $112million (£88,000).

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The show poked fun at the couple making money on 'no one knows what' (FOX)

As the butler rushes off, Meghan gets a notification on her phone. "Babe, time to do our daily $250,000 sponsored Instagram post for Del Taco," she says to her husband. In an apparent dig at the Royal Family, Harry replies: "I shouldn't have left the made-up nonsense."

Now, PR expert Mayah Riaz has claimed that the episode could be a balancing act of damaging and beneficial for the couple. She told us exclusively: "Meghan and Harry appearing in Family Guy can be seen as a double-edged sword.

"On one hand, being featured in popular animated shows indicates their relevance and popularity within popular culture. On the other hand, they’ve been opened up to further ridicule and negative portrayals.

"I believe this hasn’t hurt the couple. They have chosen not to address it, thus ignoring it by not engaging with it. This suggests it has had minimal impact upon them," she added. "Their non response also demonstrates that they are above engaging in petty controversies and are committed to their philanthropic endeavours.

The episode could be a double edged sword for the pair (Getty Images)

Some fans say the show goes too far (Getty Images for Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023)

"Had they chosen to respond to it, it would have sparked more discussion and attention to it. However, I would have suggested they did respond to it but in in a light-hearted manner. This would showcase their ability to laugh at themselves and not take things too seriously. Doing this would diffuse it and show that they are not easily bothered by media portrayals," Mayah continued.

"Some fans have labelled the Family Guy episode as 'going too far'. This suggests that there is a segment of the audience who may feel protective and defensive of Meghan and Harry. I don’t think the Family Guy episode was funny at all. Therefore, I’m not sure what the point of it was - apart from trying to get some publicity.

"Harry and Meghan realise they are in the world of entertainment. This means satire and parody are common, and they have the ability to brush off things like this.”

Lauren Gordon