Once upon a time, Prince Harry was the darling of the media, a shining example of the modern royal who could do no wrong.
He was celebrated as a war hero, a cheeky, charismatic figure with a smile capable of melting glaciers. Everyone wanted to be around him—the fun-loving prince who brought energy and warmth to every room. According to Elsa Anderson, the former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, Harry was deeply adored by the royal press during her tenure from 2001 to 2013. This period marked a "Golden Era" for Harry, during which he was practically untouchable in the public eye.
In glowing recollections, Anderson described Harry as the "media darling" who was always game for a laugh and never shied away from posing for photos, even with staff. She noted that he exuded a charm that set him apart from his more serious and reserved brother, Prince William. Harry was the life of the party—funny, intelligent, and deeply passionate about the military. To Anderson, he embodied everything one would expect from the world's most eligible prince—until, of course, that image began to unravel.
Fast forward a few years, and the once-beloved prince has undergone what many describe as a complete transformation. Alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry now finds himself struggling to navigate life on the other side of the Atlantic. The once-cheeky chappie who could do no wrong has become a figure of controversy. Critics, including high-profile figures like Spotify's founder Bill Simmons, have gone as far as to label the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as "grifters" after their much-hyped podcast, Archetypes, failed to deliver the promised content. Simmons didn’t mince words, reportedly calling them “effing grifters” and remarking that his Zoom meeting with Harry was a story worthy of its own podcast—a clear sign that things had gone awry.
But Simmons wasn’t the only one to express frustration. An anonymous insider took the criticism a step further, comparing Harry and Meghan to King Midas—but with a twist. Instead of turning everything into gold, this insider claimed the couple managed to turn everything into something far less appealing. "Everything they touch turns into poop," the source harshly remarked, emphasizing the Sussexes' series of missteps since stepping down from royal duties.
Indeed, since leaving the UK, Harry and Meghan have faced one challenge after another. What once seemed like a promising new chapter in their lives in the United States has devolved into a string of public relations disasters, failed ventures, and financial issues, including a delinquency notice for their nonprofit organization, Archewell. The couple has seemingly struggled to gain a foothold in their new lives, with each new project marred by controversy or underperformance. Their ability to navigate the high expectations of their post-royal careers has been questioned time and again.
So, what's the root of their struggles? Are Harry and Meghan simply out of their depth, or are they purposefully overpromising and underdelivering in a bid to stay relevant? According to that same insider, it might not be intentional grifting but rather good old-fashioned incompetence. However, even if the couple’s failings are not malicious, their repeated missteps have certainly diminished their appeal to investors and admirers alike. After all, who wants to back a couple that seems to have the reverse Midas touch?
Even Elsa Anderson, who once held Harry in such high regard, expressed a sense of relief that she no longer had to deal with the ongoing drama. When asked about the Sussexes’ current situation, she quipped, “Thank God I’m not there,” making it clear that she did not envy the royal staff now tasked with managing the relentless media storm surrounding Harry and Meghan. Despite her fond memories of Harry, Anderson commended the royal household for handling the situation with grace, noting that it had become a relentless, 24/7 job. Like many others, she now watches from a safe distance, thankful to have exited before the storm truly hit.
