Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s united front at the Invictus Games has led to speculation about whether this ‘win’ could help restore their standing in Hollywood.
Royal commentator Daniela Elser examined the couple’s strategy in a News.com.au piece, suggesting that their high-profile presence at the Games served as a crucial image boost amid growing skepticism about their influence.
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“The Games, for Harry and Meghan, represent safe, dry ground and a chance to refocus attention on their philanthropic bonafides, coming at a handy juncture for the couple given their royal luster has dimmed as their Hollywood woes have piled up,” Elser wrote.
The couple’s appearance comes after a rough start to the year, with backlash over their involvement in California wildfire relief efforts. Critics dismissed their actions as mere ‘photo-ops’ rather than genuine humanitarian work, adding to the challenges they have faced in maintaining their relevance.
However, at the Invictus Games, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared firmly in their element. “Some good old-fashioned palace-style speeches and getting to pose for photos surrounded by beaming supporters,” Elser described, adding, “Yes and please.”
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Despite their efforts, the commentator also took a subtle dig at Harry’s self-perception. “The Duke of Sussex might see his life as ‘charity—always has been, always will be,’ but that’s a view that puts him in the minority.”
Elser pointed to a recent YouGov poll that found many Britons no longer consider Prince Harry a royal figure but rather a celebrity. This shift in public perception raises questions about the couple’s future, especially in an entertainment industry that has yet to fully embrace them.
“‘Celebrities,’ that is, whose TV-making futures are reportedly in doubt; ‘celebrities’ who have struggled to establish themselves as much beyond titled curiosities that the entertainment world doesn’t quite know what to do with,” Elser concluded.
While their presence at the Invictus Games may have helped redirect the narrative, it remains unclear whether it will translate into lasting success in Hollywood, where their post-royal careers remain uncertain.
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