Prince Harry, once the charismatic royal adored by millions, now finds himself navigating the unfamiliar and often bizarre world of late-night television.
During a Thursday episode of NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he participated in the Halloween festivities, but not as a guest of honor—rather, he became a prop in Fallon’s latest spectacle. The scene was a haunted maze attraction, whimsically named "Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Mass at Rockefeller Center." Led by Fallon, the prince wandered through the kitschy haunted setup, encountering actors in various states of gory amusement. Among the more disturbing sights was a grotesque zombie feasting on what appeared to be a corpse.
At one point, one of the maze actors, perhaps confused by the surreal nature of the moment, turned to a colleague and asked, “Who is that?” When informed that it was none other than Prince Harry, their shock was palpable. The absurdity of the situation deepened when Harry jokingly asked, "Is that Michael B. Jordan?" Fallon quickly quipped back, poking fun at Harry’s own lack of singing talent. It was a far cry from the royal engagements Harry was once accustomed to—now he found himself a mere participant in Fallon’s antics, no formal interview or dignified presence in sight. The once-majestic prince had become part of a comedic stunt, not promoting a new initiative, book, or even a homemade jam recipe. In fact, he wasn't promoting anything of real substance at all.
Instead, Harry appeared to have embraced a new role: a Hollywood jester, parading around as a sidekick to Fallon’s escapades. This is certainly not the glamorous life Harry might have envisioned when he traded royal duties for the California dream. Adding to the strangeness of his new social circle is the fact that other Hollywood personalities, such as Saturday Night Live's Marcello Hernandez and comedian Kate Lanett, occupied the actual guest spots on the show. Meanwhile, the "beloved" prince was relegated to the role of a comic sidekick, seemingly desperate to regain some semblance of public favor.
There’s a noticeable effort on Harry’s part to carve out a path independent of his wife, Meghan Markle, who remains a lightning rod for media attention. The more he is thrust into these unusual public spectacles, the more apparent it becomes that he is being guided by a PR team distinctly separate from either the royal family or Meghan. It seems she has embarked on her own projects, while Harry is left to wander the celebrity circuit, grasping for relevance.
On the other side of the Atlantic, his brother Prince William leads a global initiative aimed at saving the planet—a stark contrast to Harry’s stints on late-night television. While William’s efforts showcase genuine leadership, Harry's recent ventures seem little more than superficial attempts to cling to the public spotlight. His appearances, like this poorly executed late-night cameo, do little to elevate his image. Instead, they only serve to highlight his struggle to remain relevant in a world that has largely moved on from the royal drama.
Furthermore, Harry's own narrative seems stale. When he does speak, the public wonders: Will he once again air grievances about his royal family? Or perhaps wax poetic about being a devoted father? The audience has heard these tales before, and the novelty has worn thin. His continual complaints and efforts to insert himself into discussions about personal freedom and privacy ring hollow, especially when contrasted with his past confessions and media appearances.
In a final twist of irony, Harry’s engagement with pop culture may backfire. Fallon’s past jokes about Princess Diana could resurface, casting an uncomfortable shadow over the prince’s attempt at comedic rebranding. The internet has a long memory, and a few quick searches may bring up reminders of a time when Fallon roasted Harry’s late mother. Despite Harry’s apparent quest to reinvent himself, his past—and the choices he's made—continue to follow him. His reputation now stands on shaky ground, as he straddles the line between royal outcast and third-rate celebrity.
The question remains: What is Prince Harry truly promoting with these appearances? There is no new book, no philanthropic cause, not even a quirky ghost story to tie into his haunted maze experience. Instead, he seems caught in an entertainment abyss, reduced to living a life far removed from the royal dignity he once held—now merely a figure in the background of Hollywood’s circus.
