Ads
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, they had the support and goodwill of powerful political and celebrity figures around the world. As they embarked on their new path as "financially independent" members of the Royal Family living in North America, their connections seemed poised to open many doors. However, almost three years on, it appears the once vibrant influence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is on the wane.
Ads
Their tour of South Africa and Europe in late 2022 was meant to rebuild their public profile after months out of the spotlight. However, reports suggest it failed to reinvigorate their global clout. Behind the scenes, it seems their ability to leverage high-level relationships has also diminished significantly. According to sources, phone calls are going unanswered and meetings are getting canceled or pushed back.
Ads
Meghan in particular had hoped to make a splash on the political circuit in America. She reportedly saw an opportunity to regain footing among U.S. power players at the 2022 Democratic National Convention this past summer. It would have been a prime venue to reconnect with influential figures. However, her attempts to secure an invitation faced roadblocks.
One draw of the convention was anticipated appearances from political heavyweights like the Obamas as well as a rumored performance from Beyoncé. Seeing this as an entry point, Meghan is said to have urged Harry to contact their old friend Barack Obama in hopes of assistance. Yet despite Harry’s efforts, the call went unreturned, suggesting the relationship has cooled considerably from the earlier days of warm greetings and prime seating at events.
Ads
Sources indicate the Obamas are displeased by how Harry has treated his own family, namely harsh public criticism of Prince Philip and the late Queen Elizabeth with whom the former First Couple shared close bonds. This rift appears to have severed a once dependable line of access and support for the Sussexes on American soil.
Without the Obama endorsement, Meghan's chance of attending the DNC faded. Her backup plan to leverage Beyoncé also fell through when the singer did not perform as speculated. Disappointed, Meghan was left without the high-profile boost she desperately sought.
Ads
This incident highlights how doors that were formerly open to Harry and Meghan are now closing. Their ability to curry favor or command attention from celebrities, politicians and world figures has seriously waned. The new reality stands in stark contrast to just a few years ago when they hobnobbed so effortlessly with influential contacts on both sides of the Atlantic.
As they attempt to navigate life outside of the Royal Family and pursue commercial interests, retaining relevance appears to be an uphill battle. With support fading from longtime allies, strategizing their next moves will be increasingly difficult without friends in such high places. While they may still attract publicity, the depth and breadth of power connections seems depleted compared to the heyday of their royal careers.
Ads
The couple are facing a sobering lesson that influence, once lost, can be hard to regain. Another ambitious tour or flashy new project may not sufficiently restore their former clout. Accepting invitations used to be easily within their grasp, but now planning appears to consist of more rejections than confirmations. Even securing a simple phone response from those they used to be close with requires Herculean effort.
How then can they rebuild what has been diminished? Continuing attacks on Harry's family, even if perceived injustices fuel such behavior, will likely only sever remaining strings of goodwill. Groveling may damage already fragile pride. Ultimately no fix is guaranteed as relationships fractured cannot be fully repaired, at least not without time and sincerity on both sides.
Ads
For the moment, Meghan and Harry find themselves back in their California home base, licking wounds from this latest setback. Both their soft power potential and celebrity glow seem to be rapidly fading. If they cannot devise a strategy for regaining lost standing in influential circles, relative obscurity may soon replace global prominence. This harsh reality underscores how fleeting fame and favor can be, even for modern royalty. Whether and how they can bounce back remains the pressing multi-million dollar question.
Post a Comment