Prince Harry Calls Out the “Megxit” Word
On Tuesday, November 9, Harry shook up the internet by saying that the nickname “Megxit”—the snappy, press‑generated label for the duo’s exit from royal life—was actually a misogynistic slur that emerged from a troll’s playground and was later plucked up by “royal correspondents” into mainstream chatter.
What the Sharp‑Edged Panel Was About
He spoke to The Internet Lie Machine, a video panel hosted by the U.S. tech‑culture magazine Wired. The discussion zeroed in on how words can turn into vessels of hate, especially when the digital world is run by a handful of echo‑chamber accounts.
Harry warned that “Megxit” started with a single trolling tweet, but the ripple was huge:
- The phrase was circulated by tabloids and “royal correspondents,” amplifying the negativity.
- It eventually seeped into mainstream coverage, earning a hideous reputation.
- The echo chamber of trolls kept feeding it until it became a mainstream feature.
Behind the Decision to Move West
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) decided to move to California at the end of 2021 to carve out an independent life. In their own words, they were looking to escape the racist, sensationalist media blast that singled out Meghan—whose father is white, her mother is Black—in ways that felt “unfair and cruel.”
Who’s Spreading the Hate?
Bot Sentinel, a social‑media analytics firm, identified 83 Twitter accounts responsible for 70 % of the hateful content aimed at the couple. That staggering percentage underscores how a small group can skew public opinion.
Harry highlighted how many British journalists were tossing out misinformation with the speed of a great online fire—only to rebuild the same lies as “facts.”
Harry’s Take on the Larger Picture
- He called misinformation a “global humanitarian crisis.”
- Harry lamented the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris while being chased by paparazzi—a tragedy that reflected the “self‑manufactured rabidness” of the media.
- He vowed that his children will never have to endure a similar fate.
What’s Next?
Harry & Meghan have swum against the flood of negativity, upholding campaigns for better mental‑health standards on social media. Their goal: to turn the tide on hostility, one tweet—and one conversation—at a time.
