Prince Harry’s recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon left many viewers puzzled.
According to royal commentator Neil Sean, Harry’s appearance wasn’t a spontaneous decision. Instead, it was a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt, aimed at promoting the upcoming paperback release of his memoir, Spare. This wasn’t just about any publicity—it was a strategic move to maintain relevance. The prince, who had once been a symbol of dignity within the monarchy, was now promoting his book in an unconventional way: by screaming and cursing in a haunted house.
This marked a new phase in his public persona, one that left many wondering if his desperate bids for attention were damaging his long-standing image. Meanwhile, The Tonight Show itself has been on a downward spiral. Once known as America’s favorite late-night show, its ratings have steadily dropped, and its attempts to regain attention, such as this Halloween stunt, highlighted its ongoing struggle. Jimmy Fallon, who had long held the title of one of the country’s top comedic hosts, seemed to be grasping for relevance. Bringing Harry on board seemed like a last-ditch effort to generate buzz and tap into the media frenzy surrounding the former royal, whose ongoing public relations blitz has kept him in the spotlight.
But why would Harry agree to appear on the show? It seems that his media appearances have become a key part of his strategy to reshape his image and connect with a younger audience. His previous stop on Stephen Colbert’s show, part of the same book tour, didn’t generate the level of success he had hoped for. With Colbert’s network CBS facing financial challenges, they were reportedly hesitant to bring him back for another appearance. In contrast, Fallon’s show, struggling to maintain its own ratings, found the budget to host Harry, sparking rumors that the prince had been paid a significant sum to participate in the haunted house segment.
What looked like a silly Halloween-themed sketch was, in fact, a calculated move. Sources from The Tonight Show revealed that the segment was designed to portray Harry in a lighter, more approachable manner—an effort to counter the wave of negative press and heavy criticism he has faced in recent years. It was a way for Harry to promote his book while seeming more relatable and in touch with younger audiences. However, did it achieve that goal? Not exactly.
The segment left many viewers disappointed, particularly those in the UK, where Harry’s antics drew more criticism than applause. His use of expletives during the sketch was viewed by many as a desperate attempt to seem relatable to a younger, Gen Z audience. At 40 years old, Harry is no longer the youthful prince he once was, and his performance felt forced and awkward. To some, it appeared as though he was trying too hard to fit in with a demographic that had already moved on from his royal celebrity.
The timing of his appearance also raised questions. Harry has spent considerable time in New York recently, speaking at various high-profile events and reportedly earning hefty paychecks for his participation. Behind the scenes, these engagements come with luxury accommodations, first-class flights, and all expenses paid. This stands in stark contrast to the message Harry has often promoted—warning about the dangers of social media and celebrity culture—while continuing to cash in on the very platforms he critiques. He’s using the same media channels he criticizes to spread his message at little to no personal cost, creating a sense of dissonance between his public image and actions.
In the end, Harry’s appearance on The Tonight Show may have generated some buzz, but it didn’t do much to help his reputation. Many viewers found his swearing and over-the-top antics distasteful, and the final edit of the segment reportedly had to reduce the number of expletives Harry used. While he seemed to be trying to connect with a younger crowd, the attempt came off as inauthentic. Instead of appearing relatable, Harry came across as a royal figure desperately clinging to the spotlight in a manner that felt more sad than entertaining. His haunted house performance may have succeeded in promoting his book, but it likely did little to enhance his public image.
