When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, it was presented as somewhat of a fairy tale. At the same time, the challenges that come with being part of the royal family were always part of the conversation as well. There is a tremendous amount of expectation, pressure, and publicity that comes with the title, which can be a lot to deal with even if you are seen as dealing with it well. For the Duchess, however, she also has to deal with people criticizing her choices and the way she takes on this role. Every day she will make choices about how to stay true to herself amidst royal pressure or public criticism.
Play the following video [1:28]:
Duchess of Sussex criticized
- How do you think you would handle life as a royal? (Accept all reasonable answers. Some may think it sounds fun or glamorous or would be willing to go along with it all, while others may feel strongly they aren’t interested in or suited to any of it. Many will find themselves in the middle, liking certain aspects but not others.)
- What does it feel like to stay true to yourself or make a different choice amidst criticism or pressure from others? Tell about your experience. (Accept all reasonable answers. Sometimes it does not feel great; you may feel left out or second-guess your decision. Sometimes it feels empowering or you see the benefit later on. Students will have varied experiences with this.)
- Do you ever feel that the standards, expectations, or choices of others are at odds with following Jesus? (Accept all reasonable answers. Some will have experienced this in a vague sense, others more distinctly, and some perhaps not at all, depending on their friend group, their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, etc.)
The tough news is that following Jesus in a fallen world can be challenging, but the good news is that Jesus Himself experienced such challenges, and He’ll be with us along our way.
