The Worldwide Privacy Tour

"The Worldwide Privacy Tour"
South Park episode
Episode no.	Season 26 Episode 2
Directed by	Trey Parker
Written by	Trey Parker
Production code	2602
Original air date	February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)

"The Worldwide Privacy Tour" is the second episode of the twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 321st episode of the series overall. It premiered on February 15, 2023. The episode, which was first announced on February 13, 2023, depicts a visit to the town of South Park by the Prince of Canada and his wife, who say they are seeking privacy and seclusion, which brings them into conflict with fourth grader Kyle Broflovski, in a parody of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to step back as senior members of the royal family of Britain, Canada, and the other Commonwealth realms, and their subsequent rebranding.

Plot

A grief-stricken Ike Broflovski, who is Canadian-American, watches the televised funeral for the Queen of Canada, who died four months ago. The Prince of Canada and his wife receive a poor reception from other attendees because they have been bashing the Canadian monarchy. Ike's monopolizing of the computer prevents his older brother Kyle from appearing online to play a video game with his friends, which results in their leveling up without him, leaving him feeling left out. Butters Stotch tells Kyle that he needs brand management and takes him to CumHammer Brand Management, where an agent named Mr. Davis suggests possible brands, which all include the word "victim".

The Prince and his wife go on a tour to promote his memoir and to demand privacy. They move into the house across from the Broflovskis. Though they say they want privacy, their activities, such as playing drums and polo, and setting off fireworks, are disruptive to Kyle. When he complains, they scream at him that he is violating their privacy.

Kyle attempts to use the brands suggested to him by Mr. Davis, telling his friends that he is a victim and is working on himself, but they react with indifference. He also persistently complains about the royal couple, which prompts his friends to distance themselves from him. When Kyle's house is plastered with magazine covers featuring the Prince's wife, he tries a brand that says "nothing bothers him". Failing to get a reaction from him, the wife accuses Kyle of victimizing her because she is "ethnic". The Prince then tries to provoke Kyle by exposing himself to Kyle but fails to provoke a reaction from him.

The next day, Kyle walks into school with a new look and a more positive demeanor but learns that Butters is being beaten up by Bebe Stevens because Butters launched an abusively misogynistic tirade against her, which Butters refers to as his "strong and assertive" brand. Kyle goes to CumHammer's offices, where he is confronted by the Prince and his wife, who is consulting with Mr. Davis on how to retaliate against Kyle. Kyle says that when one tries to engineer the image by which others perceive them, it just makes that person a performer instead of a human being. Hearing this, the Prince resolves to do away with magazine covers and television appearances in favor of a more normal life, realizing what is within them defines who they are, and not commodifying oneself as a product. When this gets no response from his wife, he flips open the top half of her head, and inside finds only a chasm from which his voice echoes. The Prince leaves CumHammer without her.

Kyle decides to allow Ike his repeat viewings of the Queen's funeral, realizing that this is who Ike is and that he does not care if this negatively affects his standing with his friends. Kyle's friends show up at his door and invite him to play outside to relieve his stress. They go to the local basketball court, where the Prince asks if he can play. When they assent, he sets up his drum set on the edge of the court, playing music as the boys play basketball.

Reception

John Schwarz with Bubbleblabber.com rated the episode a 8.5 out of 10, and commented "Kyle's attempts at re-branding himself are right on point with those who only define themselves by their social bios and not who they are supposed to be...The Meghan and Harry bit was quite hilarious. Every rip on Canadian culture still holds up, from the constant farting to their wacky accents, they kill me every time. Harry's character design is already fantastic, with a bright red/orange top, he's an instantly recognizable figure that could be a fixture for the show for years to come, or never again, and I would still be able to pick him out."

Response from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Shortly after the episode aired, the Duchess of Sussex was reportedly "upset and overwhelmed" by the episode and refused to watch it in its entirety. A spokesperson for the couple denied rumors that she and Prince Harry planned to file a lawsuit over the episode.

See also

• Monarchy of Canada § In popular culture

External links

• "The Worldwide Privacy Tour" Full Episode at South Park Studios
• "The Worldwide Privacy Tour" at IMDb
• Keates, Emma (February 16, 2023). "South Park takes on famous couple that definitely isn't Harry & Meghan". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023.