Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again captured global attention with a series of high-profile public appearances, highlighted by a surprising comparison of his royal upbringing to the popular British period drama, Downton Abbey. These appearances come amid a continuous torrent of criticism aimed at both the Duke and his wife, Meghan Markle.
As the couple strives for relevance, their actions—from public speeches to charitable appearances and reality television—are dissected by critics who claim their efforts are desperate attempts to attract attention.
The Downton Abbey Comparison
The Duke of Sussex was the distinguished guest and speaker at the 65th annual British-American Business Council Christmas luncheon, which took place in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, December 5. During his speech, Harry, who is 41, compared his experience growing up in the Royal Family to Julian Fellowes’ iconic British television program.
Harry jokingly noted that people often ask if life within the Royal Family was similar to the show. He then clarified the distinction: “Yes, but only one of those worlds is full of drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners [and] marriages with Americans, and the other is a television show”. This comparison framed the fictional drama of Downton Abbey as exceeding the drama found within the Royal household itself.
The event was particularly notable for Harry, as he mentioned it was the “first Christmas party” he had attended in “a long time”.
Defining British Identity in America
Beyond the jokes, Prince Harry shared “more serious thoughts” concerning his nature as a British citizen residing in the United States. He stated that his definition of being British is not tied to his physical location, but rather “what you represent”.
Harry also discussed the new experience of celebrating American holidays, noting that celebrating the 4th of July was a decidedly new phenomenon for him. He highlighted the irony of observing the holiday, stating he was celebrating “the independence of Great Britain, and more specifically, the independence of my great-great-grandfather”.
Controversial Television Appearances
Harry’s appearances have faced widespread online backlash. Prior to the luncheon, he made an unannounced appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York. During this surprise segment, he joked about Donald Trump, suggesting the USA had “chosen a king,” a remark that reportedly drew boos from the audience. He also commented that the U.S. harbors an obsession with royalty. This public appearance was criticized heavily on social media, with many finding it “CRINGEWORTHY and painful” to watch.
“Salmonella Sussex”: Criticisms of Meghan Markle
The intense scrutiny is not limited to Prince Harry; Meghan Markle has faced harsh and widespread criticism regarding her authenticity and actions. Amidst the controversies surrounding her Christmas special, she has been mockingly dubbed “Salmonella Sussex” or the “Duchess of Salmonella”.
This nickname arose from criticism directed at her preparation of a turkey in the special. Critics alleged that she demonstrated “no earthly idea how to cook” throughout seven “excruciatingly bad episodes” of her series. The specific issues raised included preparing the turkey while wearing rings and bracelets and failing to wash her hands.
Meghan’s Christmas edition of her Netflix program, With Love, Meghan, where she emphasized the importance of family and friends, reportedly had poor performance and was taken off the list in less than a week. Critics claim that she is “FAKE” and a “liar,” inventing what she says, and that the people appearing on her show are actually paid, as she allegedly lacks true friends.
Family, Charity, and the Desperate Need for Relevance
Meghan has also faced intense scrutiny regarding her handling of personal and charitable matters.
She came under fire after her father, Thomas Markle, was hospitalized in the Philippines, where he underwent a leg amputation below the knee. Meghan claimed she had called him, but after that was denied, she claimed she sent an email. This email claim was also quickly refuted, with reports noting that the email address she supposedly used had not been active for five years. Furthermore, critics questioned why she couldn’t simply obtain his phone number. She allegedly claimed that the “logistics and security” required for travel to the Philippines constituted a “nightmare”. However, critics challenged this, pointing out her recent travels to Nigeria and Colombia.
Even their charitable efforts have been criticized. During a Thanksgiving charity event where they provided food for those in need, the couple reportedly only stayed for ten minutes to take posed photos, including some with children. Meghan was also noted for promoting her own brand by wearing a cap during the event.
Seeking Attention and Waning Influence
The intense criticism highlights a public perception that Harry and Meghan are currently “desperate” to remain relevant, especially as the popularity of the “Dukes of Danger” has reportedly faded, leading to financial concerns. Critics argue that their recent public actions are driven by a need to call attention to themselves through drama. Harry, in particular, has been referred to by some as the “court jester” rather than a prince.
Adding to the scrutiny are allegations regarding their public interactions, with one commentator suggesting Meghan operates using a modus operandi of building friendships solely to advance her position and then discarding those friends when a more influential connection emerges.
The overwhelming public reaction, which includes theories about their children being “rented” and claims of them treating their first child, Archie, like a doll during his introduction, demonstrates the fever pitch of criticism and the depth of the “rabbit hole” the public has descended into regarding the couple. Ultimately, critics argue they are desperately attempting to appear, sell, and market anything to regain relevance.
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