It's that time of year again—the season of Oscar buzz, glamorous red carpets, and endless speculation about which celebrities will attend the Academy Awards.
As always, one question seems to persist: Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry make an appearance this year? According to the Daily Mail, the answer is a firm no. But let’s take a closer look at the speculation and expert opinions surrounding this possibility. A public relations expert, someone paid to craft narratives, has weighed in on the likelihood of the Sussexes attending Hollywood’s most prestigious night. This PR guru suggests that this year might actually be the perfect time for Meghan and Harry to step onto the Oscars stage.
Why? Because Meghan's new Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, is set to premiere on March 4—conveniently close to the Oscars. Add to that her upcoming lifestyle brand, which reportedly includes jars of jam, and the entire situation starts to look like an ideal opportunity for self-promotion.
But let’s take a step back. The Oscars are a night for A-list movie stars, directors, and industry elites to celebrate cinematic excellence. Is this really the place for Meghan and Harry, the self-proclaimed advocates of freedom who have morphed into reality TV royalty? The couple has consistently skipped the Academy Awards, even when Meghan’s close friend Misan Harriman was nominated for his short film The After last year. If that wasn’t enough to convince them to attend, what would be? The truth is, Meghan and Harry have little to no connection to the Oscars, and their continued absence speaks volumes. It’s unlikely that will change anytime soon.
Now, let’s entertain the idea for a moment. Suppose Meghan and Harry somehow secure an invite—where would they sit? Most likely in the least visible section, so far in the back that even the camera crew would struggle to spot them. At this point, Hollywood’s discomfort with the couple is undeniable. They have become the punchline of industry jokes, and it’s difficult to imagine them casually walking into the Dolby Theatre to sit beside legends like Meryl Streep or Leonardo DiCaprio.
PR experts love to throw around phrases like "career power move" and "redefining her narrative." According to them, the Oscars could be Meghan’s opportunity to network with Hollywood’s elite and potentially land acting roles. But here’s the problem—no one in Hollywood seems particularly eager to be associated with them. The couple has become a symbol of controversy and negative press. Attending the Oscars could easily backfire and turn into the biggest PR disaster of their careers.
The so-called expert analysis doesn’t offer much substance. If Meghan and Harry attend together, it’s framed as a sign of unity. If Meghan goes alone, it’s spun as a declaration of independence. Groundbreaking, right? The reality is, no one is inviting them. And even if they somehow managed to get in, it would be an awkward and cringeworthy affair. Meghan would likely use the opportunity to promote her projects while Harry lingers uncomfortably in the background.
Let’s not forget Netflix’s involvement. If Meghan and Harry didn’t even receive an invitation to the SAG Awards—an event filled with their Netflix colleagues—what makes anyone think the Oscars would be any different? Netflix isn’t exactly bending over backward to secure them a spot at the event. After five years of being persona non grata in Hollywood, it’s clear that Meghan and Harry won’t be walking the Oscars red carpet this year or anytime soon. They aren’t A-list; they barely make the B-list. The Academy Awards have more important things to focus on than entertaining yet another PR stunt from the Sussexes. The answer, as always, is a resounding no.
