Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face significant challenges as they navigate their new lives in the United States, according to insights from a royal expert.
Since their relocation to California in the summer of 2020, the couple has grown increasingly distant from the royal family, a transition that has excluded them from notable events both in the UK and abroad. This detachment became evident when the Sussexes were notably absent from a high-profile royal affair, the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, to Olivia Henson.
The nuptials, held at Chester Cathedral, raised questions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with their former circles. Despite Prince Harry's close friendship with the billionaire Duke of Westminster, he did not receive an invitation to the wedding. Reports suggest that Harry declined to attend to avoid any potentially awkward encounters with estranged family members. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted a significant challenge the Sussexes face in the United States, noting their absence from such events.
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Fitzwilliams explained that Harry and Meghan need to attend comparable events in the United States that aren't focused solely on them. He mentioned events like the Met Gala and the Oscars as venues where their presence would be beneficial, considering their aspirations to be viewed as A-list celebrities.
Fitzwilliams pointed out that despite their desire to be seen at high-profile events, they were notably absent even from gatherings like Barack Obama's 60th birthday celebration in 2021, the same year they were featured in Time magazine's Top 100 list.
This type of event is one they would undoubtedly want to be seen at, but they were not invited. This raises questions about why they are no longer featured in Time magazine and are now only mentioned in gossip publications like the National Enquirer or Heat magazine. According to Fitzwilliams, this shift in coverage is because they did not want to work hard enough to maintain their status. Time magazine's Top 100 event is one they would love to attend, but they are no longer invited because everyone has figured out that they are not as committed as they seemed. Bill Simmons from Spotify has also criticized them, calling them "lazy grifters."
Regarding the Duke of Westminster's wedding, Fitzwilliams emphasized the potential media frenzy Meghan's attendance could have caused. Their presence would have undoubtedly created a media storm, especially since Meghan has not visited Britain since Queen Elizabeth's funeral. This highlights the heightened media scrutiny surrounding the couple's every move. The absence of Prince Harry and Meghan from such events underscores the challenges they face in maintaining relevance and visibility in their new environment, away from the traditional royal spotlight. Despite their efforts to carve out new roles for themselves, they continue to grapple with the implications of their royal departure and the scrutiny that follows their every decision.
The couple's struggle to establish themselves as influential figures beyond the confines of the monarchy is evident. They must navigate the delicate balance of 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.
The commitment to fulfilling their Netflix deal with substantial quality films, rather than just content revolving around themselves, could have made a difference. The same applies to their work with Spotify, where 13 episodes fell short. Meghan was given an opportunity, but it wasn't seized, not just falling short but failing to meet the standards required in the industry. As Harry and Meghan seek to establish themselves as influential figures, they face the ongoing challenge of maintaining relevance while steering clear of the intense media scrutiny that continues to follow their every move.
