Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced criticism for not meeting the high expectations they set for themselves, according to Ulrike Grunewald, the director of the documentary The Lost Prince. In a recent interview with The Mail, Grunewald discussed the couple’s challenges and how their journey since stepping back from royal duties has unfolded.
“Harry and Meghan set the bar very high,” Grunewald began. “They want to be global benefactors who bring about tangible change,” but “so far, they have not lived up to this image at all.” The documentary director acknowledged her own curiosity about the couple’s efforts to carve out an independent life.
“I was interested in whether Harry and Meghan’s strategies for an independent life are working. After four years, the results are very mixed,” she said, pointing out that their progress has been far from clear-cut.
Grunewald further noted that Harry and Meghan now appear to be more separated in their public lives, a stark contrast to the united front they once presented. “Now they mainly appear separately, as they were unable to create a functioning image together. They have come down to earth,” she remarked.
Despite her criticisms, Grunewald also offered a more empathetic perspective on Harry’s situation. “To be fair, from his point of view Harry wanted the best for his own family,” she explained. “And sure he has now gained valuable experience in California and learned what it means to have to stand on his own two feet. He would never have been able to do that in the close circle of the royal family.”
While the couple’s transition away from royal duties has been filled with both highs and lows, Grunewald’s comments highlight the challenges they face as they strive to make their mark as private citizens. Their ability to live up to their promises of global impact and change remains a subject of ongoing scrutiny.