Meghan Markle’s carefully cultivated image as a global humanitarian and champion of social justice once again lies in tatters after the unforgiving writers of the adult animated comedy South Park unleashed a scathing takedown of the Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry. The episode, titled “The Serial Killer,” depicts the thinly veiled caricatures of the royal couple, referred to as Lord and Lady Marle, on a disastrous trip to Colombia that quickly devolves into a cocaine-fueled nightmare.
The episode opens with the Marles jetting off to Colombia on a noble humanitarian mission, but it soon becomes clear their altruistic intentions are a mere facade. Upon arriving, they are greeted by cheering crowds, but the Marles quickly grow disinterested, with Lord Marle grumbling, “This is boring. When do we get to do something fun?” Their publicist then reveals the real reason for the trip: to secretly film a documentary about the Marles’ charitable work, much to their delight. “Oh, a documentary! Finally, the world will see how amazing we are,” exclaims Lady Marle.
However, their thirst for attention and self-aggrandizement quickly spirals out of control as they demand increasingly over-the-top stunts to make themselves appear more heroic and important. At one point, the Marles insist on personally delivering food to starving children, only to become enraged when the impoverished youngsters don’t seem properly awed by their presence. “Look at how good we’re being!” shrieks Lady Markle, to which Lord Markle adds, “Why aren’t they grateful?”
Things take an even darker turn when the Marles stumble upon a cocaine production facility, which they mistake for an orphanage. Entranced by the allure of the illicit white powder, they eagerly join the cartel members, snorting line after line, and descending into a drug-fueled haze. “This is amazing! We’re like saving the world right now,” slurs Lord Marle as he collapses onto a pile of cocaine. Lady Marle, meanwhile, begins hallucinating that she is single-handedly ending world hunger, screeching, “I’m the only one who can fix this!”
The episode culminates in a surreal, nightmarish sequence where the Marles, now completely out of their minds on cocaine, wreak havoc across the Colombian countryside. They rampage through the streets, assaulting bystanders, destroying property, and shouting nonsensical slogans about saving the planet. At one point, Lady Markle even attempts to rescue a group of drug mules by forcibly freeing them from their captors, only to end up being brutally beaten by the cartel members. As she lies bleeding on the ground, she wails, “But I’m a princess! You can’t treat me this way!”
By the time the Marles finally stagger back onto their private jet, their mission is in shambles, and their reputations are in tatters. The episode delivers a scathing indictment of the couple’s narcissism, hypocrisy, and detachment from reality. The writers of South Park have clearly taken the gloves off when it comes to skewering the Duchess of Sussex, and the results are as hilarious as they are savage.
The episode’s merciless mockery of Meghan Markle is the latest in a long line of controversies and scandals that have plagued the former actress since she married into the British royal family. From her much-criticized Oprah Winfrey interview, in which she accused the palace of racism and indifference to her mental health struggles, to her and Harry’s high-profile defection from the UK and subsequent lucrative media deals, Meghan has become a lightning rod for criticism and controversy.
Many have accused the Duchess of using her royal status and the global platform it affords her to position herself as a crusader for social justice and human rights, all while allegedly engaging in behavior that is anything but ethical or altruistic. The South Park episode seems to be the latest manifestation of this growing backlash, with the show’s writers gleefully skewering Meghan’s carefully curated public image.
Of course, the Marles are not the only targets of the episode’s satirical eye. The writers also take aim at the broader culture of celebrity humanitarianism, where wealthy and privileged individuals often undertake highly publicized charitable ventures that are more about bolstering their own brand and ego than actually solving systemic problems. The episode’s depiction of the Marles’ Colombian misadventure as a cynical publicity stunt masquerading as altruism is a pointed commentary on the way in which many celebrities and public figures leverage their platform and resources for personal gain, often at the expense of the very people they claim to be helping.
But perhaps the most scathing aspect of the South Park episode is the way it lays bare the Marles’ own personal flaws and shortcomings. As the Marles’ absurd escapades in Colombia unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that beneath their virtuous rhetoric and polished public personas lies a deep-seated desire for attention, validation, and power.
