Nearly four years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left senior royal positions in hopes of becoming more financially independent and living outside the UK. During this time, they struck lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify while establishing the non-profit Archwell** Society, whose mission is to "uplift and unite communities."
However, some are beginning to question whether the couple's actions really fit into the lofty rhetoric of their public statements and goals. In an interview with The British Express, PR expert Harold Smith said there was a "difference" between the way Prince Harry and Meghan Markle presented themselves and what they actually achieved. Although their hearts may be right, could it be that their words and deeds are inconsistent?
Let's take a step back and see how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about their post-royal ambitions. In a shocking statement that they initially announced their decision, they spoke of "economic independence" while continuing to "fully support" Queen Elizabeth. They plan to start a new charity to advance causes such as gender equality, racial justice, mental health, and environmental protection.
Fast forward to 2021 and Archewell is officially launched. On **, Prince Harry wrote a letter describing their desire to "unite and uplift" the community through sympathy. Meghan writes that they will respond to the challenges of our time by "acting out with empathy, without judgment" and working to "rebuild and reimagine the world around us."
Such rhetoric would make any rational observer expect a certain degree of actual action and results. However, according to Smith and other critics, the couple failed to live up to expectations.
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made appearances at some high-profile events such as the VAX Live** meeting, given the scale of their commitment, their attendance and involvement in charity is significantly limited. Since its inception, Archwell seems to have accomplished little other than vague clichés about the future on its sparse **.
Perhaps most notably, their now-defunct Sussex Royal** would receive a significant reduction in donations. In its first year of existence, the ** received about 14£50,000, but by 2020 the total had dropped to £10,000, raising questions about the couple's supposed ongoing philanthropic commitment.
Of course, over the past few years, the "pandemic" has disrupted everyone's plans. However, even with this in mind, there does seem to be a gap between the couple's lofty message about global change and the relatively meager actions and results that have been produced so far. As Smith points out, when words and actions are inconsistent, the trust and credibility on which any public figure's reputation rests are at stake.
One might say that the couple should have had more time to gain a foothold outside the constraints of the monarchy. However, they also voluntarily put themselves in the public eye, with their high-profile announcements, lucrative business deals, and grand visions for their ** meeting. After attracting people's attention, they are criticized if the expectations brought about by their own words are not reasonably met.
While it is good to bless others, in a way, good intentions must be translated into concrete progress and impact. Otherwise, the differences pointed out by Mr. Smith may continue to widen, and people will ask legitimate questions – *Is there "evidence of genuine effort or involvement" that matches the intent of their propaganda?
It remains to be seen whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be able to use their celebrity status and resources to achieve meaningful victories on the issues they claim to support. As the couple continues to push forward with Archwell's new and ** projects, such as the upcoming Netflix documentary, it turns out that there will be tangible results, not just high-minded talk or speeches on **.
Their promise to emerge and "rebuild the world" in the post-Covid era will be truly tested. If their actions continue to fall short of the lofty standards set in their own public statements, the criticism will surely grow louder and harder to divert.
But if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can translate their ambitions into real, significant projects that can bring about positive change, then their words may prove to be a force for good, rather than a contribution. The balance between their rhetoric and reality will continue to be closely watched. How they choose to go from here will go a long way toward telling whether their global goals are matched by real actions.