With the recent controversy surrounding THAT INTERVIEW with Harry & Meghan there are some suggesting this is the beginning of the end for the Royal Family. We doubt it. There’s also criticism of the way “the Firm” has responded to the interview. At this point, it has been entirely appropriate and predictable.
The Royal Family has spent many years investing in strong secure relationships with people and nations across the world, including countries like Australia where The Queen remains head of state.
A good PR guru will tell you that active & positive engagement with stakeholders is like putting money in the bank. Inevitably crises will occur; however, if you have a respectable bank balance, you are likely to make it through to the other side.
We see time & time again where individuals and organisations have been too inwardly focused, missing opportunities to make deposits. Ultimately, they pay a hefty price. In terms of royal families, history is littered with plenty going into huge ‘debt’ and who now no longer existing.
The monarchy is clearly damaged from the current events through which it is still navigating. But the Windsors have faced crises before and have shown themselves to be capable of adapting to changing public demands & expectations, as they did when Princess Diana died.
In this crisis, “the Firm” issued a statement. Understandably there are differing views about the adequacy of the response but ultimately this is a family affair. It would be unwise to get into a public dispute over all the allegations made in the interview – it would be messy, publicly damaging and make any rapprochement more difficult.
Most of the work to restore family relationships and the reputation of the monarchy will need to happen behind closed doors. Nothing good ever comes from debating private family issues in public – the old saying about airing one’s dirty laundry comes to mind.
This situation needs meaningful action and engagement between the key parties – platitudes, words and speeches won’t do it. The Queen’s well-known diplomacy skills will be vital in resolving this unfortunate family fracture and taking it off the front pages of the world’s newspapers.
By Hayden Tucker & John Thompson
