Prince Harry recently attended the Responsible Digital Future Forum in Bogotá, Colombia, an event intended to highlight his and Meghan’s commitment to fostering a more ethical and sustainable digital landscape.
However, the event quickly devolved into a public relations debacle for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The forum, held in Bogotá’s vibrant capital, had invited the royal couple to deliver a keynote address on the pressing need for regulating big tech and ensuring that technology serves the common good. Yet, as Prince Harry took the stage, he was met with a barrage of cheers, boos, and hostile interruptions from the audience.
One attendee shouted, "Go home, Harry," while another yelled, "We don’t want your lectures." The unexpectedly antagonistic reception visibly unsettled Prince Harry, who struggled to maintain his composure and complete his speech. He repeatedly paused, his brow furrowing in confusion as he attempted to address the disruptive crowd. At one point, he even pleaded with the audience, "Please, I'm just trying to help," but his pleas were drowned out by increasing levels of booing and shouting. His attempts to discuss specific policy proposals were rendered futile as the enraged crowd’s shouts obscured his words. This incident marked a dramatic reversal for the once-cherished royal, who had been celebrated just a few years earlier as a dynamic, modern face of the British monarchy, connecting with a younger, progressive audience.
The Duke and Duchess's decision to step back from royal duties and move to California had initially enhanced their image as bold, independent figures challenging traditional palace norms. However, their global popularity has significantly waned in recent years, with accusations of hypocrisy and self-aggrandizement on the rise. Their multimillion-dollar mansion, lucrative media deals, and perceived detachment from everyday struggles have turned them into lightning rods for criticism, as evidenced by the backlash they faced in Bogotá.
The Responsible Digital Future Forum was supposed to be a prestigious platform for Harry to share his insights on tech regulation and data privacy. Instead, it became a stage for a public rebuke of his moral authority and relevance. Samantha Markle, Meghan’s estranged half-sister, commented afterward, "People are just sick and tired of Harry and Meghan lecturing everyone about how to live their lives. They’ve lost touch with reality, and the Colombian audience made that abundantly clear."
This incident is part of a troubling pattern for the Duke and Duchess, who have recently faced several public relations setbacks. Earlier this year, their highly anticipated Netflix documentary series was criticized as self-indulgent and out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary people. Their efforts to position themselves as climate change leaders have been undermined by their own extravagant, carbon-intensive lifestyle. Royal commentator Piers Morgan remarked, "Harry and Meghan want to be seen as noble, enlightened crusaders for social justice, but their actions tell a very different story. The people of Colombia saw through that facade."
Despite this, some supporters argue that the backlash is driven more by sexism, racism, and resentment of their progressive values than by any legitimate criticism of their conduct. However, even among their supporters, there is concern about how the Bogotá incident unfolded. One long-time fan, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "I’m a big believer in the causes Harry and Meghan champion, but the way they handled themselves on stage was just cringeworthy. They needed to be better prepared, more in touch with the audience, and more willing to engage constructively with criticism. Instead, they came across as out-of-touch elitists."
The fallout from this fiasco may have lasting consequences for the Duke and Duchess. Their once-revered image as socially conscious, globally influential figures has suffered a significant blow, and it remains uncertain whether they can recover their previous standing. Royal biographer Angela Levin observed, "This was a massive setback for Harry and Meghan. They’ve been struggling to maintain their relevance and influence, and this public humiliation will make it even harder for them to be taken seriously in the future. They needed this event to be a triumph, but it turned into a complete disaster."
Defenders of the couple might argue that the hostile reception was part of a coordinated smear campaign, and it is true that Harry and Meghan have faced a wave of negative coverage fueled by sexism, racism, and media disdain. Nonetheless, the Bogotá debacle suggests that the issues facing the Duke and Duchess are deeper than media bias. They have struggled to connect with audiences outside their progressive elite bubble, and their preachy tone has alienated many who view them as out of touch and hypocritical. As they retreat to assess their situation, they will need to confront difficult questions about their future relevance and impact. Can they regain public trust and goodwill, or have they irrevocably damaged their status as global advocates for social justice? Only time will tell, but it is clear that the Bogotá incident was a significant blow to the Harry and Meghan brand and may signal the end of their reign as the royal family’s favorite renegades.
