Prince Harry and William Face Similar PR Problem
Prince Harry and Prince William both face a similar public relations challenge when attending official events; how to maintain strong public interest in what they are doing without the support of their high-profile spouses, a new episode of Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast has discussed.
Both William and Harry have undertaken a range of important solo public engagements in recent weeks. William attended several events connected with his homelessness initiative, Homewards; and Harry undertook a multiday working trip to New York.
Both of these undertakings have been made without Princess Kate-who has mostly stepped out of the public eye this year because of her cancer diagnosis and treatment-and Meghan, who remained in California with her children while Harry was in New York.
Though the royal princes attract attention wherever they might be appearing in public, this is undoubtedly significantly increased when they are accompanied by their glamorous and popular spouses.
Speaking to Royal Report listeners, chief royal correspondent Jack Royston noted that, though not always to be considered a negative thing, the reduced attention shown when Meghan and Kate are absent leaves their husbands with the challenge of keeping eyes on what they are doing and ears on what they are saying.
Without Kate and Meghan, media attention is not the only factor that is reduced, but also fan engagement across social-media platforms. “Harry is flying solo for this trip,” Royston said of the prince’s New York visit. “So, no Meghan to help him out.” “Obviously, fashion is a huge part of people’s love of the royals, and so any job that has Meghan will be getting a whole additional audience among people who love her outfits and want to kind of engage from a fashion perspective,” Royston added. He said that Harry and Meghan aren’t the only couple to experience this.
