Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face significant challenges as they adjust to their new lives in the United States.
According to a royal expert, since their move to California in the summer of 2020, the couple has become increasingly distanced from the royal family. This separation has resulted in their exclusion from notable events both in the UK and internationally.
One recent example of their absence is the high-profile wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster, to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral. Despite Prince Harry's close friendship with the billionaire Duke, neither he nor Meghan Markle attended the event. Reports suggest Harry declined the invitation to avoid potentially awkward encounters with estranged family members.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted the significant challenges the Sussexes face in the U.S. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, Fitzwilliams explained that Harry and Meghan struggle to attend comparable events in America that aren't centered around them. He mentioned high-profile gatherings like the Met Gala and the Oscars as venues where their presence would be beneficial, given their aspirations to be seen as A-list celebrities.
Despite their desire to attend such events, they were notably absent from Barack Obama's 60th birthday celebration in 2021, even though they were listed in Time magazine's top 100 that year. Fitzwilliams speculated that their lack of invitations to such events could be due to perceptions that they are not working hard enough to maintain their status.
Regarding the Duke of Westminster's wedding, Fitzwilliams noted that Meghan's attendance could have caused a significant media frenzy. Since Meghan has not visited Britain since Queen Elizabeth's funeral, their absence from such events underscores the heightened media scrutiny they face and the challenges in maintaining relevance and visibility away from the royal spotlight.
Despite their efforts to carve out new roles for themselves, Harry and Meghan continue to grapple with the implications of their royal departure and the accompanying scrutiny. Their struggle to be seen at prestigious events and maintain their public image is compounded by the perception that they have not met industry standards, particularly in their deals with Netflix and Spotify. The couple's commitment to producing substantial quality content, rather than projects centered around themselves, is seen as lacking.
As Harry and Meghan seek to establish themselves as influential figures beyond the monarchy, they must balance engaging with high-profile events while avoiding the media circus that often accompanies their appearances. Their absence from significant gatherings raises questions about their future trajectory and their ability to secure a place among the American elite. Their journey highlights the complex dynamics of transitioning from royal life to forging an independent public identity in a new country.
