Are you a Meghan or a Dolly? A serious question for our times

August 30, 2026 — 9:30am

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It goes without saying that most Australians spent more time in the past week mourning country icon Dolly Parton, and debating the motives behind the return of the marital pair known as “the Sussexes” to the United Kingdom, than they spent worrying about the speeches given at the Business Council of Australia’s annual gala dinner. Fair play.

I know which is more interesting. Business and political types should probably also spend less time contemplating their own glorious leadership and more time doom-scrolling. It’s in our modern fairytales that the values which animate us are revealed.

Dolly Parton’s folksy tunes and gigawatts of rhinestone cladding weren’t everyone’s thing; but with or without them, Parton had a certain something that drew people to her and caused them to love her. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on the other hand, who married the now former Prince Harry (also now formerly popular), has a knack for attracting widespread ire. Antipathy towards Meghan is so strong that an acting role she was to take up in the UK has reportedly been withdrawn following intense public backlash.

Meghan has advanced many reasons as to why she is so disliked. Naturally, none that would implicate her. She’s a victim of racism or there’s a social prejudice against ambitious women. It’s the British tabloids, who see in her a new Princess Diana and must draw blood. So many theories, all self-serving.

Parton offered very few ideas as to why she was so loved. But there’s one thing she said of herself that seems to sum it up – “I may look........

© Brisbane Times