Meghan Markle vs Sophie Turner

as Meghan Markle; Sanza Stark, Game of Thrones.

She shouldn’t even be here, is what some may think about Meghan. How much introduction does she need, the half-official Duchess of Sussex? Well, I couldn’t resist putting her in, for all kinds of thematic reasons. First point to make: she was, of course, an actress. She has featured in stuff on TV and just about in film, although what exactly – soaps mainly – does not interest me. She doesn’t act now (not in that sense anyway), not since marrying Harry and entering British royalty, but the Overseers have granted me this technical loophole.

Second point to make: she is quite attractive, you have to say. Or certainly was in her twenties and throughout her acting time, well into her thirties, but is pushing the limits of her prime now at 44. She shall manifest in this contest as – unusually amongst the competitors – herself. She is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (if she wishes to be called that), at just a little younger than the age at which she gave that glorious Oprah Winfrey interview. So, mid-thirties then. This gives her a delicious blend of that noble air with the half-caste sex vixen she surely is. She’s wearing a very nice blue Lycra outfit here, respectful and fit for purpose.

She has divided opinion, it has to be said, and I myself am ambivalent about her. Sophie gets unequivocal enthusiasm from the audience whilst Meghan’s reception is mostly cheers but the odd jeer. Beautiful, yes, as I’ve said, and of undeniable refinement. But is it ‘class’ or ‘snobbery’, and is it ‘entitlement’ or ‘victimhood’ from which she suffers? She was captivating to listen to and look at in that interview, but was that the manoeuvrings of an attention-seeking shit-stirrer or the revelations of a brave and sensitive woman? I’d like to get to know her better, to weigh her up for myself, with all other variables removed as it will be on New Olympus.

She may have to be an underling there, depending on what round she reaches, but could potentially be a co-ruler with me. How would she adapt to either? Fascinating. In either case, she’d be leaving behind the family and relationship she is in now and starting anew, but hey she’s done that before so no problem; divorced in 2014 from her first marriage, then terminated her live-in lover of two years before meeting you know who. This woman is a social mover and a social survivor, but I think she knows she’s unlikely to win this one, yet her attitude is ‘to hell with it let’s give it a go’. Why die in an apocalypse stuck on Earth in a married lifestyle that didn’t turn out to be what she thought it would be in any case. She likes the idea of being a big somebody on a new world.

That’s all as maybe. First she’s got to get past a young lady who is most definitely a famous actress. Sophie Turner is Sanza Stark, there is no getting away from that. Maybe she’s achieved something as other characters, but I have not noticed, and the Game of Thrones surely remains her most celebrated incarnation. She comes here, not as the prim and simpering virgin of the early series, but as the matured ‘Queen of the North’, let’s say 25 years old, which is just a notch below her current age. Whether she continues as her iconic redheadedness or her real blonde is negotiable between us. This time, red.

I’ve rated her as ‘2’ to Meghan’s ‘3’ because Sophie is literally a queen in this form and played her specialism so well, and has undoubted beauty, but also has goodness with her authoritativeness. I suspect, if push came to shove, she would be a more moral leader than Meghan. Put Meghan in a position of medieval style monarchy (and I mean medieval, not the 21^st century British version), and I suspect there could be a touch of cruelty. This is highly speculative, and all that matters is today’s contest anyway.

What skills will they draw upon to defeat each other? Well, both will have to put aside any innate sympathy and a reluctance to kill, but I reckon Sanza Stark and Meghan Markle can manage that. Both are survivors, and both are cunning in their way. Who is fitter? That is hard to say; probably that’s a bit of a weakness for both, so it should equalize itself here. It could come down to who wants it more; who craves a life of possible ruling power and a leaving behind of the old more? Sanza, I think, has more inner conviction of who she is and the throne on which she belongs, and that could make all the difference. By the way, Sophie is wearing a white lacy torso garment (and nothing else!); surely a ploy to intimidate with her beauty and regalness, and say ‘I am queen here’.