The inability of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, to dance has become increasingly evident in recent events. During Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour in Los Angeles, where he accompanied his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her mother Doria Ragland, Harry’s dance moves were widely noticed and discussed. His awkward shimmy and lack of rhythm were on full display, reminiscent of a middle-aged plumbing supplies manager after a few drinks.
This incident could be attributed to a display of husbandly affection or a birthday treat for Ragland, who remains the only close family member with whom Harry and Meghan maintain a relationship. However, Harry’s dancing skills, or lack thereof, were further highlighted when he attended a soccer match between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC on Sunday, once again drawing attention from cameras and observers.
These public appearances have shed light on Prince Harry’s struggles with dancing, a fact that has become increasingly evident and widely discussed in the media and among observers.
The recent high-profile public appearances of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have raised some questions. After months of relatively limited public outings, the couple has been spotted at two major events within a short span of time.
Firstly, their attendance at Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour concert in Los Angeles was extensively documented by the public, with numerous photographs and videos circulating online. This level of coverage is unusual, especially considering that no such footage emerged from Meghan’s reported attendance at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour last month.
Secondly, the timing of these appearances, coming within 48 hours of each other, is noteworthy, given the couple’s previously infrequent public sightings.
While the reasons behind this sudden increase in visibility are not entirely clear, it could potentially indicate a shift in their approach to public appearances. One possible explanation could be that they have found a reliable childcare arrangement, allowing them to attend more events together. Alternatively, it may simply reflect a period of heightened positivity and a desire to engage more actively with the public.
Ultimately, the Sussexes’ recent outings have garnered significant attention and speculation, prompting questions about their motivations and future public presence.
The sudden return of the Duke of Sussex to the spotlight this week seems to be connected with significant upcoming events. This week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to ramp up their activities, intensify their efforts, and go into overdrive as they face a critical juncture in their careers and personal brand.
Prepare for a heightened presence of the Duke, as the former working member of the Royal Family is set to take center stage with renewed vigor.
First, Prince Harry will travel to the UK alone to attend the WellChild Awards on Thursday, where he will deliver a speech just hours before the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. This presents him with an opportune moment to commemorate the occasion before the Royal Family.
Subsequently, on Saturday, the Duke will be in Düsseldorf for this year’s Invictus Games, the highly successful sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel, which he founded nearly a decade ago, leveraging the Royal Family’s resources, connections, and unparalleled convening power.
The Invictus Games this week hold significant importance for Prince Harry, who will turn 39 during the event. It presents a pivotal opportunity for him to reset after a tumultuous year marked by both remarkable commercial success with his memoir “Spare” becoming the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, and a simultaneous souring of public opinion towards him and his outspoken criticism of the royal family.
Within a month, from early December 2022 to early January 2023 when “Spare” was released, Harry’s approval rating in the United States plummeted by 45 points, while Meghan’s fell by 36 points, according to polling data from Redfield & Wilson and Newsweek. Although their numbers have improved since then, this dramatic decline in public approval highlights the rapid and intense shift in attitudes towards the couple.
The situation appears even more challenging in the United Kingdom, where new research from YouGov reveals that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Britons now hold a negative view of Harry, while 68% of respondents have an unfavorable opinion of Meghan. These findings underscore the significant public relations challenges the couple faces, particularly in Harry’s home country.
The public’s perception of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex holds significant importance, as their financial future heavily relies on the masses’ interest and engagement with their projects and offerings. This dynamic was highlighted by the recent release of Prince Harry’s docuseries “Heart of Invictus.”
While the five-part series has received largely positive critical reviews for its moving content, it has struggled to capture widespread public attention. Data from audience intelligence platforms reveals that in the two days following its release, “Heart of Invictus” garnered only around 50,000 mentions on social media, a mere 5% of the 970,000 mentions received by Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” during the same period.
Furthermore, according to unofficial data from Flix Patrol, the docuseries has failed to make it into the top 100 most-watched TV shows on Netflix, indicating a lack of significant viewership.
These metrics underscore the importance of public interest and engagement for the Duke and Duchess, as their ability to monetize their projects and sustain their financial independence hinges on capturing the attention and support of a broad audience.
The recent performance of Archewell’s projects raises some concerns. Out of the three projects – Harry & Meghan, Lead to Live, and Heart of Invictus – two have struggled to attract significant audiences. Additionally, the couple’s pipeline of exciting new projects appears to be relatively sparse based on publicly available information.
Reports have suggested that Prince Harry might be working on a documentary project for Netflix set in Africa, a region close to his heart. However, recent reports indicate that these proposals are still in the early stages, raising questions about the progress being made.
Another high-profile project, Meet Me At The Lake, a best-selling novel for which Netflix reportedly paid $4.6 million for the rights, has been put on hold due to the ongoing strike action in Hollywood.
Overall, the Sussexes have yet to prove themselves as outright successes in their new careers as Hollywood power players. Their reputations have also taken a hit, adding to the challenges they face in establishing themselves in the entertainment industry.
The events of the past year, fueled by the release of Harry & Meghan’s memoir “Spare” and their numerous interviews, have solidified the perception of them as individuals who seem content to dwell in self-pity, frequently criticizing the royal family while occasionally exhibiting signs of a shared messiah complex.
Post-Megxit, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not emerged as powerful, positive, and energizing leaders but rather as skilled complainers, seemingly oblivious to the fact that their privileged status and public criticism of the monarchy do not necessarily make them sympathetic or inspiring figures.
However, the Invictus Games this week could potentially change this narrative and reset the public’s perception. The documentary “Heart” showcases Harry’s commendable dedication to helping others and his genuine compassion, reminding viewers of the positive impact he can have when he moves beyond personal grievances.
This is the side of Harry that the couple needs to highlight, replacing the image of a disgruntled prince with that of a compassionate and selfless individual dedicated to making a difference.
Similarly, Meghan, whose podcast was not renewed for a second season and whose entrepreneurial website remains in development, might benefit from refocusing her efforts on the causes she has championed, such as paid parental leave and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, rather than relying solely on her fashion sense and style.
Invictus could potentially mark a significant turning point, particularly for Prince Harry. After several attempts at a fresh start in recent years, this event presents an opportunity for a genuine new beginning. The Sussexes find themselves at a critical juncture, and based on current observations, it appears that the Duke and Duchess are preparing to give their utmost effort. This seems to be a concerted effort to regain control of the narrative, even if it involves unconventional methods like Prince Harry’s dance performance to “Run the World (Girls).” The stakes are high, and the Sussexes appear determined to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of a fresh start.