Prince Harry ‘Misses Being a Prince’ and Meghan Markle’s Actions are a ‘Disaster Tourist’ Says Tina Brown
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have become "disaster tourists" while Prince Harry "misses being a prince because he was good at it," according to Tina Brown, a former editor of Vanity Fair and friend of the late Princess Diana. In an interview with The Telegraph, Brown, 71, claimed that Prince Harry, 40, took pleasure in his previous position and was once successful at adding a "sizzle" into the royal family.
"He really knows how to play the role of the prince," Brown said. "I think he really likes it. That’s what’s so ironic. For a bit he thought he didn’t because the Palace is boring and oppressive and so on. Now he’s had a few years doing it without them, I think he really misses being a prince because he was good at it." Brown added that the impact of Harry’s philanthropic pursuits is now limited due to his celebrity-like status.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s public appearances are no longer groundbreaking, and they’ve become "disaster tourists," Brown claimed. She gave the example of the couple visiting victims of the Los Angeles fires in January, when they handed out food parcels at the Pasadena Convention Centre to those affected by the devastating blaze. Brown claimed that Harry is aware of becoming a "disaster tourist," adding, "I think Harry feels it keenly. But he’s obviously loyal to his wife."
Brown also shared her thoughts on whether a royal reconciliation could ever be on the cards. While she believes that Harry might be open to rekindling his familial relationships, the same can’t be said for the Prince of Wales, she said. Brown claimed that Harry’s book Spare, which she believes was driven by the Montecito-based couple’s "appetite for money," has ruled out any chances of a reunion from Prince William’s side due to the book’s bombshell claims about the Royal Family.
The comments come as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled a memorial in New York City on Wednesday, which is dedicated to "honouring the lives of children lost to online harm." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also called for more protections for children from the dangers of social media, claiming that "enough is not being done." The installation, called the "Lost Screen Memorial," features 50 large, illuminated smartphones, each displaying the lock screen photo of a child who died after being exposed to bullying behaviour online.
According to the Daily Mail, the images of the children were shared by parents who are members of The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Network. They donated the pictures to "honour their children’s memories and to call attention to the urgent need for safer online spaces." Harry told BBC Breakfast: "We want to make sure that things are changed so that… no more kids are lost to social media. Life is better off social media."
The Duke also accused technology firms of "getting away with it," saying they did not need to disclose information to families in Britain due to privacy considerations. Prince Harry said: "These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable – they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter. No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces."
In a statement about the installation, James Holt and Shauna Nep, Executive Directors of The Archewell Foundation, said: "This memorial is a collective act of remembrance, and a call to action. Each photo represents not just a child lost, but a family forever changed. These parents are sharing the most painful parts of their lives so that no other family must experience the same heartbreak."
Meghan Markle also took to Instagram to discuss the installation unveiling, sharing a video of the event accompanied by a long caption. It said: "An important and emotional evening last night in NY as we unveiled #NoChildLostToSocialMedia with parents and families who have lost their children to online harms. My husband and I have worked with many of these families for the last several years, and through The Archewell Foundation and our program The Parents’ Network, we support them in their grief and stand with them in their call for action."
