Brendan O’Neill Brendan O’Neill

Why people who hate Brexit love Megxit

It is actually fitting that Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave the UK is being referred to as Megxit. Because this royal temper tantrum, this flouncing out of the UK by the most painfully PC couple in monarchical history, has much in common with Brexit.

Like Brexit, it has exposed the vast moral divide that now separates the new elite, of which H&M are key figureheads, from ordinary people.

Like Brexit, it has confirmed that this nation is now split, in David Goodhart’s words, between ‘Anywhere’ people and ‘Somewhere’ people. ‘Anywheres’ are post-national, geographically mobile and often sniffy about those old, apparently outdated values of community life and familial loyalty. And ‘Somewheres’ view nation, place, family and belonging as incredibly important.

And now we know where Harry and Meghan stand. If she gets her way, Meghan will still be known as the Duchess of Sussex, sure. But really she will be the Duchess of Anywhere.

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