Prince Harry's upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly's high-level week and Climate Week has generated significant attention, though perhaps not for the expected reasons.
This time, it’s Meghan Markle who is making headlines—not for her presence, but for her conspicuous absence. The controversy revolves around Meghan being left out of the 25th Diana Awards ceremony, an event dedicated to honoring the legacy of Princess Diana. While Harry is set to engage with organizations like African Parks, The Halo Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst, Meghan, along with their two children, will be notably absent.
Insiders reveal that Meghan, who was excluded from this prestigious event despite her husband's prominent role, is not taking the slight lightly. Reports suggest she is furious, placing the blame squarely on Prince Harry. Meghan reportedly believes that Harry’s involvement should have ensured her an invitation, as she views any event connected to Princess Diana as incomplete without her presence. The Diana Award, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, proudly announced Harry's participation on their official Instagram account. Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE, the CEO of The Diana Award, highlighted the event as a platform powered by young people addressing critical issues of their generation. However, Meghan’s exclusion has cast a shadow over what was intended to be a celebration, transforming it into a source of royal drama and media speculation.
The situation raises questions about the timing and motives behind Harry's involvement. Why New York? Why in September? And why is Harry, who often seems more focused on revisiting his mother's legacy than on engaging in impactful philanthropy, at the center of this controversy? Meghan's absence has led to speculation about whether Harry’s role in the Diana Awards is part of a broader strategy, perhaps even an attempt to provoke or arrange a meeting with Prince William. The media frenzy that could erupt from a potential confrontation between the two brothers would certainly capture global attention.
Critics argue that Harry’s continued focus on Diana may be doing more harm than good. Each time he brings his late mother’s name into the spotlight, it seems to detract from her legacy. Instead of preserving her memory, it appears as though he might be using it for personal gain. This ongoing saga is beginning to resemble a poorly scripted drama, with Harry cast as the tragicomic figure, constantly battling shadows while others wait for the spectacle to end.
Adding another layer to the drama is the timing of the Diana Awards, which coincides with Prince William's Earthshot Summit, also taking place in New York. The overlap in scheduling has led some to speculate that Harry and the Diana Awards are attempting to overshadow William’s significant environmental initiative. The resulting photo opportunities with smiling young participants might be seen as Harry's attempt to position himself as the true heir to Diana's legacy, using the event as a platform for his own public relations efforts.
The entire affair prompts questions about how the Diana Award organizers came to accommodate Harry's involvement, especially considering that Prince William might have had some influence over the matter. The spectacle seems like a calculated effort to keep Harry in the spotlight while simultaneously eclipsing his brother's work. In this broader context, Meghan's anger over not being invited to the event feels almost ironic. As Harry and Meghan continue their quest to stay relevant and repair their public image, their actions seem more focused on generating drama than on making a meaningful impact.
