Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue their whirlwind of attention-seeking behavior, this time making an appearance at a local California bookstore in what some may describe as an almost desperate attempt to stay relevant among Hollywood's elite.
The couple attended the opening of a small literary event, joined by none other than Oprah Winfrey—whom Harry, a 40-year-old man, affectionately refers to as his "fairy godmother." Their arrival in a sleek Range Rover seemed an attempt to rub shoulders with influential figures such as Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. However, this was not a glamorous gala or a high-profile red carpet event; it was, surprisingly, a bookstore opening.
It is indeed ironic that the couple, who once proudly proclaimed their desire to escape the pressures of royal life, now find themselves attending events as mundane as bookstore openings. To add to the awkwardness, there was a notable absence of interaction between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Netflix's Ted Sarandos. Despite his presence, Sarandos kept his distance, refraining from even a simple photo with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Given their multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, one would expect at least a token snapshot, but it seems Sarandos may be signaling that Netflix’s patience with the pair is wearing thin.
The event was held in honor of literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and cosmetics entrepreneur Victoria Jackson at a bookstore aptly named “Godmothers,” a nod to Harry’s rather juvenile nickname for the influential women in his life. One can almost imagine the chuckles this must have elicited back at Buckingham Palace. But the awkwardness did not stop there. Photos from the event showed Harry and Meghan attempting to blend in with what some might generously call Hollywood’s “glittering stars.” However, the guest list mostly consisted of celebrities whose relevance has faded. While Jane Lynch may still hold some spotlight thanks to her role in Only Murders in the Building, the rest of the attendees were not quite A-list. Ellen DeGeneres, now more infamous for the toxic work environment scandal that plagued her show, was the biggest name present. As for Oprah, her expression when Meghan hugged her said it all—it was as if she was silently begging her to avoid getting bronzer on her white dress.
The couple's awkwardness was compounded by their fashion choices. Meghan’s outfit—an ill-fitting sleeveless jumpsuit in mismatched whites and creams—did little to flatter her, with pants that seemed to sweep the floor and an apparent disregard for appropriate undergarments, as evidenced by her visible black bra. Harry, meanwhile, looked as though he had just rolled out of bed. His attempt at "California casual" came across as more disheveled than chic, as if he had dressed in the dark.
The most striking aspect of this appearance, however, was the sheer desperation it radiated. The couple posed for photos, embraced Oprah as if they were lifelong friends, and tried their hardest to fit in with Hollywood’s elite. Yet, this was far from a star-studded affair. While the actual A-listers were attending glamorous events like New York Fashion Week or high-profile charity galas with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Priyanka Chopra, Harry and Meghan found themselves at a neighborhood bookstore opening. It was hardly the pinnacle of social prestige they might have hoped for.
To top it off, the photos from the event weren’t even recent; they were reportedly taken days earlier and strategically released to the public, seemingly in a bid to counteract the lack of interest surrounding Harry’s 40th birthday. No celebrity friends, no grand Hollywood connections—just two former royals struggling to maintain relevance in a world where they seem increasingly out of place.
