Prince Harry’s recent solo appearance in New York has been overshadowed by the noticeable absence of his wife Meghan Markle, leading to speculation that their personal brand seems somewhat “little thin” when not presented as a “mega” double act, according to an expert.
During his visit coinciding with the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, he attended several events including a notable panel at the Clinton Global Initiative on Tuesday, where he highlighted issues within the digital space and paid homage to his late mother, Princess Diana, while discussing the Diana Award.
His stint in the Big Apple wrapped up with a lively episode on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that saw the Prince screaming expletives while braving a haunted maze alongside the comedian host.
Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop spoke to the Mirror about the prince’s engagements and commented on Meghan’s lack of presence, suggesting it might be due to the couple’s past conduct.
She told the Mirror: “It has been a whirlwind week for Prince Harry in New York, championing all the causes he cares about most: young people, Diana’s legacy, the climate and the corrosive effects of social media. ‘We’ve split the atom. We’ve walked on the moon. We are more than equipped to tackle this’ intoned the Duke as he strode like a colossus across the stage at the Clinton Global Initiative.
“Statesman Harry was all sharp suits, polished performances, and packed halls until he hit Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show with expletives and manly joshing as the pair pranked their way around a Haunted Maze to kick-start America’s Halloween obsession. ‘Is that Michael Buble? ‘ quipped Harry of an itinerant ghost. Half kid, half adult, Harry appeared to have it all – charisma, wit, goofball charm and yet the star power the Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥 exuded in Colombia was missing. Meghan was nowhere to be seen.
“Compounding this solo optic was Meghan’s no-show at Kevin Costner’s ranch last weekend when Harry gave away a prize at a First Responders fundraiser. By all accounts, the Duchess was ill. As for New York, she was never on the billing; this was Harry championing his own pet projects and charities.
“Surely we are passed the era when a comely wife is handmaiden to her husband’s grandstanding? Apparently not when it comes to the Duke and Duchess.
“Part of the problem lies with their Sus𝑠e𝑥 brand. It was very much together, under the gaze of the world’s media, that the couple walked away from the Royal Family. For better or for worse, Harry and Meghan became synonymous with rebellion, identity politics and woke culture. The Sus𝑠e𝑥es versus the Establishment was a global phenomenon.
“Alone Harry had been a second-rung royal or, in his words, the Spare. Meghan a bit-part Hollywood actress in a series called Suits. Together they were mega. Megabucks and mega stars. Nothing could stop them, not even a ‘manly pep talk’ from that other renegade, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But out on his own again, the Duke’s brand looks, well, a little thin, no matter how good Harry is at his American royal-adjacent role (very, as it turns out).”
Tessa does highlight that there have been joint appearances between the couple in the recent past, particularly their trip to Colombia, where they embarked on a series of visits during what was labelled a DIY Royal tour.
However, she noted that we can expect to see more solo ventures and appearances from Harry in the future. She elaborated: “While the Duchess has put in joint appearances with her Prince in Colombia, Nigeria and even New York (last October), in Britain, where Meghan felt bruised and they no longer receive state security, Harry’s solo show is set to continue.”
“This weekend the Duke returns to the UK, where as Patron, he is hosting the Wellchild award ceremony. And yes, once again he is returning home alone. Perhaps Boris Johnson will step into the breach, with another ‘pep talk’.”