Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are finding themselves in an unyielding cycle of criticism, no matter their efforts or achievements. The couple, who stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States, have faced constant backlash for their actions and decisions. This situation has been exacerbated by their attempts to carve out a new life in Hollywood, which has brought its own set of challenges and criticisms.
"To be honest, it's a lose-lose situation for Harry at this point," remarked royal correspondent Cameron Walker on "The Royal Record Podcast." He elaborated, "He's created a lot of enemies or non-fans because of what's happened over the last four years. Whatever he does, no matter how good he is doing with the Invictus Games or whatever prestigious awards he's winning, there's always going to be people at the moment who are going to chastise him for that and get very angry about that."
One notable instance of this backlash occurred in June 2023, when the couple was dropped by Spotify. Bill Simmons, an executive at the streaming giant, labeled them as "f------ grifters," a derogatory term that quickly spread across social media. "Now that [was] just broadcast everywhere and social media created hashtags calling them 'Harry and Meghan are grifters' - what a terrible label to have," commented U.K. policy adviser Lee Cohen.
This label starkly contrasts with their former royal status, adding to the perception of their fall from grace. "It's unbelievable. But that 'grifters' comment will stay with them forever, and they're now the butt of Hollywood jokes by comedians and [in] cartoons," Cohen added.
Their attempt to transition into Hollywood has not been smooth. Meghan's aspirations to become a Hollywood A-lister have reportedly faltered, with some experts suggesting she may have to settle for "D-list" notoriety. Royal expert Richard Eden explained, "They thought, 'We'll be at the center of this sort of royal court, and everyone will come to see us,' but it never seems to be working out like that."
Despite these setbacks, the couple has made significant contributions to public service, particularly through the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry founded to support injured and sick servicemen and women. In a recent event, Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service from ESPN, recognizing his efforts. However, this honor was also met with controversy, with a petition garnering nearly 77,000 signatures opposing his nomination. Pat Tillman's mother, Mary Tillman, expressed her shock at Harry's selection, stating there were "recipients that are far more fitting."
Harry acknowledged the mixed reactions during his acceptance speech, emphasizing the bond between a mother and son and paying tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana. He also recognized the Tillman family, addressing the concerns raised by Mary Tillman.
The public's perception of Harry and Meghan's transition from royalty to entertainment figures has added another layer of complexity. Their motives and abilities are frequently questioned, making it difficult for them to gain acceptance in Hollywood. Reports suggest that many Hollywood elites avoid associating with the couple to stay in favor with other members of the royal family, such as Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Despite these challenges, Harry and Meghan continue to push forward. "They're in an easy era. They have daily FaceTimes when they're apart and send cute texts to each other. They are wildly in love," a source said, highlighting the strength of their relationship amid the scrutiny. "Taylor and Travis are very confident in their relationship, so they don't have to bend over backwards and travel to see each other for less than a day," the source added.
