The royal family is dominating headlines in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on Monday night, with calls for an inquiry into allegations.
The much-anticipated special attracted 1.78 million viewers nationally.
However, staunch monarchist, Tasmanian Betty Hite believes the interview was a "headline grab" and was not worth turning the TV on for.
"This is a headline grab and she [Meghan] will continue to do it," Mrs Hite said. "I saw enough of the shorts to know what I think, it is a disgrace.
"I didn't want to look at it, it is rubbish. It is all 'look at me'. I didn't look at it on purpose."
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The couple opened up on everything from Meghan's transition into royal life, motherhood and escalating public pressure and scrutiny from the British tabloids.
Harry and Meghan claimed senior members of the royal family raised concerns about what colour their baby's skin would be and that mental health support was not provided to Meghan when she was having suicidal thoughts.
The two-hour special was the most-watched, non-news program in the TV market of Launceston, which includes the North-West and West Coast reaching 41,383 local viewers and commanding a commercial share of 47.6 per cent.
Mrs Hite said it was "all an act" from Meghan.
"Once an actress always an actress, I thought she acted in all of that," she said.
"I feel that she is on the stage and she knows that she is on the stage. If I cop flak from the public for saying that then I can stand my ground."
Despite the allegations made towards the Royal Family Mrs Hite has no doubt "the Queen will always be our Queen".
"The royal family to me will always be the royal family and I have always held them in the highest regard," she said.
"She [Meghan] will never bring the Queen down or undermine the Queen. I don't think anything she has to say will have anything to do with becoming a republic."
On the other hand, Tasmanian convener of the Australian republican movement Angela Wilson said it showed why "the monarchy is not an institution for modern times".
"It has definitely made people question the role of an inherited monarchy and whether that is the correct thing for a modern democracy and has reinvigorated the issue for a number of younger people who weren't around in the 1999 for the referendum," she said.
"It is highlighting to them our head of state should be an Australian chosen on merit and not by who their parents are."
Claudia Williams
Claudia Williams is a journalist for The Advocate covering general news and events. Get in touch at claudia.williams@theadvocate.com.au or on 0448 310 641
Claudia Williams is a journalist for The Advocate covering general news and events. Get in touch at claudia.williams@theadvocate.com.au or on 0448 310 641
