Prince Harry's recent trip to New York City, without Meghan Markle, has the potential to bolster his reputation following a series of royal controversies. The Duke of Sussex has received praise for engaging in various solo activities during his visit, which aims to support several of his charitable organizations. Following his time in NYC, he is scheduled to travel to London to attend the WellChild Awards on September 30th.
Harry, a father of two, last visited Manhattan in October 2023, when he was accompanied by Meghan to mark World Mental Health Day. Doug Eldridge, a celebrity branding and marketing expert and founder of Achilles PR, shared with Fox News Digital that this solo trip is a strategic decision for the prince. He noted that since the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they have faced numerous challenges together.
“This is similar to splitting aces in poker. While they may seem unbeatable together, it can often be more advantageous to play separate hands with an ace as a strong foundation,” Eldridge explained. Currently, when Harry and Meghan are seen together, it immediately brings to mind the drama surrounding them, which is largely negative, including their departure from the royal family, various interviews, and the associated controversies. In contrast, when they are seen apart, they can each present a more favorable image, much like playing two separate hands with split aces. For now, Harry can be perceived as the charming individual he has always been, while Meghan is free to promote her upcoming product line. Eldridge noted that the royal label no longer applies to her, and her connection with Harry hasn’t translated into sales at the level she needs to establish a successful brand in the long run.
“I’m not sure if this will benefit their partnership, but in the short term, it could be advantageous for their public relations efforts,” he added.
Before his trip to New York City, Harry appeared on stage at the star-studded 1805 Live concert, hosted by Kevin Costner in Carpinteria, California. The event aimed to raise funds for first responders in Santa Barbara County. Reports indicated that Meghan was unable to attend due to illness.
Harry has had a strained relationship with his family and has seen his father infrequently since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020. At that time, the couple cited the relentless scrutiny and racist attitudes of the British press as reasons for their decision to step down as senior royals. Since then, Harry has openly discussed his troubled relationship with his family in television interviews, a documentary, and his memoir, *Spare*.
In his book, Harry accused his stepmother, Queen Camilla, of leaking private conversations to the media to enhance her own image. He also recounted his rivalry with Prince William, alleging that his brother physically assaulted him during an altercation. Recently, sources close to the prince spoke to *People* magazine, stating that King Charles III has been neglecting his son's phone calls and letters. An anonymous insider also shared with *The Hollywood Reporter* that Meghan is perceived as a “dictator in high heels,” claiming she has brought grown men to tears among her staff.
A request for comment was made to a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It has been reported that Josh Kettler, who served as the couple’s chief of staff for only three months before leaving in August, was initially hired on a trial basis. The decision to part ways was described as mutual, with both parties agreeing it wasn’t a suitable arrangement. Several current and former staff members have since spoken to *US Weekly* in defense of the couple and their work ethic.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the Sussexes are in need of all the positive publicity they can obtain. So far, Harry's trip to NYC has been successful because he has focused on what he excels at: showing empathy for a meaningful cause, much like his mother did. Fordwich noted that avoiding criticism of his family and refraining from complaining about his privileged life makes him more relatable. This could indeed be a first step toward regaining relevance.
Harry’s appearance in London will be another notable occasion where Meghan Markle is not by his side. Fordwich added that it seems the roles have reversed, with him being seen as the plus one, and even more troubling than being labeled as “spare,” he has been reduced to a supporting character in Meghan's public appearances.
Kinsey Scoffield, host of the To Die For Daily podcast, shared with Fox News Digital that it's too early to determine if the Sussexes' separate engagements will effectively enhance their reputation. “I suppose he’s doing okay. He hasn’t yet accused photographers of being involved in a near-fatal car chase,” Scoffield remarked. “He seems to be playing it safe. Meghan’s presence can sometimes increase his anxiety about security, and this trip allows him to avoid that stress.”
Scoffield emphasized that winning back public favor after a series of scandals will be a lengthy process. Last summer, Rolling Stone published an article titled “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are in Their Flop Era.” Since then, the Sussexes haven’t achieved anything noteworthy. “Are they still technically in that flop era? I’m not going to commend Prince Harry for simply networking; I have higher standards than that,” she remarked.
However, if we continue to see Harry working independently from Meghan after the New Year, it’s reasonable to discuss what a professional separation might mean for their relationship. Last year, there were reports that Meghan was frustrated with their professional setbacks, Scoffield noted. Could Harry’s trips for work without Meghan be linked to that?
Despite his hectic schedule, Harry has been thinking about his family. On September 23rd, he facetimed Meghan and their two young children before taking the stage at the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit. According to People magazine, the report stated that Harry showed his kids around the space with a mini virtual tour. Kiara Rianti Hpia Jong, a recipient of the Diana Legacy Award, shared with the outlet that he was on the phone with Meghan, who is 43, backstage. “I thought that was really sweet, and it made him seem more relatable,” she commented.
