Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are finding themselves outplayed in their own game as the royal family takes the spotlight with their environmental initiatives, according to a royal editor.
The couple, who have been actively vocal recently, are facing an identity crisis as they try to stay relevant during Glasgow’s COP26 summit, Camilla Tominey claims.
Tominey describes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as being in self-promotional mode, which complicates their efforts to portray themselves as global change leaders amidst the summit.
She points out that the royal family, with a long history of environmental advocacy starting from Prince Philip and Prince Charles, have overshadowed Harry and Meghan’s efforts.
The Daily Telegraph’s associate editor highlights Prince William‘s involvement in the Earthshot Prize, emphasizing the credibility of the royals compared to some politicians at the summit.
Tominey notes that while politicians may be driven by election impacts, the royals’ longstanding commitment to environmental causes makes them less susceptible to criticism.
Despite being referred to as important family members by the Queen, Harry and Meghan are increasingly sidelined within the royal circle, as observed by the expert.
Their absence from key events like COP26 has raised questions about their impact from a distance, with Tominey suggesting that competing with high-level political and royal presence is challenging for the couple.
Harry’s recent denial of certain royal privileges, such as laying a wreath at the Cenotaph and wearing his military uniform, further underscores his diminished role within the royal family.
The Sussexes’ retreat from frontline duties has led to heightened scrutiny, particularly regarding allegations of a toxic environment within the House of Windsor.
Issues such as concerns over baby Archie‘s skin color, strained relations with the Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan’s use of her royal title for political purposes have fueled tensions within the royal family.
The rift between Harry and Prince William deepened following allegations of Markle’s mistreatment of royal staff, despite her denials.
As the Sussexes navigate their evolving role outside the traditional royal sphere, they face challenges in maintaining relevance and influence, especially in comparison to the established environmental efforts of other senior royals.
The dynamics within the royal family continue to shift, raising questions about the future trajectory of Harry and Meghan’s public roles.
