Prince William has been urged to reclaim the fairytale glamour his branch of the Royal Family seems to be letting slip, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stand ready to capitalize on the void. This stark warning comes from royal historian and expert Dr. Tessa Dunlop, who shared her insights with The Mirror. She painted a vivid picture of the stakes at hand, cautioning that ignoring the power of glamour could prove costly for the Firm.
Dr. Dunlop began by acknowledging the Royal Family’s traditional stance: “The Royal Family might think they are above such glitzy gimmicks. That would be a mistake.” Her concern centers around the idea that public appeal isn’t just about duty and service—it’s about spectacle and enchantment.
She further explained, “After all, waiting in the wings are ex-royals the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Instinctively glamourous with bundles of razzmatazz, the Californian couple have an effortless knack for combining showbiz gloss and public do-gooding.” According to Dr. Dunlop, Harry and Meghan’s unique ability to merge entertainment and philanthropy makes them formidable competition.
In her analysis, Dr. Dunlop described what she perceives as a troubling “vacuum at the top.” She warned, “The problem with vacuums is that they invite all sorts of unwanted intruders. The royal machine has clearly decided that they can compensate for a depleted public presence with relentless philanthropy on ITV.” However, Dr. Dunlop cautioned that such an approach might not be enough.
“The public will tolerate a bit of charitable hectoring but only if accompanied with a large dollop of fairytale glamour.” She even reminisced about a time when the Royals struck this balance perfectly, citing the 2021 Bond premiere for No Time to Die. “That fabulous ‘No Time to Die’ Bond premiere when Camilla and Kate waltzed out in a haze of designer sequins felt like a world away,” she remarked, hinting at a nostalgic longing for the glitzy moments that once captivated audiences worldwide.
Her message is clear: if the Royal Family doesn’t reclaim the spotlight with the same fairytale allure, they may find themselves overshadowed by Harry and Meghan, who have already mastered the art of blending glamour with purpose.