The antics of Harry and Meghan would not have gone down well in the ancient world, where the family and its future flourishing were an absolute priority.

Harry’s proposal to marry Meghan would have been a matter of some negotiation – Roman orators argued that the paterfamilias (‘head of the family’, with absolute authority over it) should always be consulted on such matters, but ultimately it was wise to allow the son to have his way – but Meghan’s attitude would not have gone down well.