Since stepping back from royal responsibilities in March 2020 as part of the Megxit decision, Prince Harry, who ranks fifth in line for the throne, has actively pursued a career in Hollywood. A significant portion of his and Meghan Markle’s revenue now comes from their partnership with streaming giant Netflix. Even if he were to reconsider his choices now, his candid television appearances have made it difficult for him to be perceived seriously as a royal figure.
Unlike his uncle Prince Edward, who nurtured a passion for the arts and built a respectable two-decade career in television and theater, Harry showed little interest in showbiz before meeting Meghan.
However, he has since fully embraced the Hollywood lifestyle, seemingly viewing himself as an influential figure in the entertainment industry. Together, he and Meghan continue to produce projects they deem important for the public. Despite the lackluster reception of his polo documentary, they are pressing on with plans for a drama series set in the polo world. Yet, anticipation for such content appears lukewarm at best.
The Royal Family has traditionally avoided the celebrity circuit for decades, striving to preserve their dignity and gravitas.
The late Queen Elizabeth understood the pitfalls of mingling royalty with celebrity culture. Although televised events like her 1953 Coronation, the annual Christmas addresses, and Princess Margaret’s 1960 wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones attracted millions, they also managed to uphold the enigmatic allure of royal life.
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly found the 1969 documentary Royal Family and felt that lifting the veil on their private lives diminished the historic mystique of the monarchy.
However, when they allowed TV cameras to follow them for a two-hour documentary in 1969, intended to humanise the Royal Family and connect with the public, she found it “too intrusive” and insisted it be withdrawn. Although its initial broadcast drew over 37 million viewers in the UK alone, she and her advisors concluded that appearing “too ordinary” was a risk to the institution.
Princess Anne also famously hated the idea, later stating: “I never liked the idea of the Royal Family, I thought it was a rotten idea. The attention which had been brought upon one ever since one was a child… You just didn’t need any more.”
However, Harry appears to feel differently and is intent on lifting the veil of his life in his pursuit of showbiz success. The fact that this will be at the expense of any sort of royal comeback is a lesson he appears still to have to learn.