Prince Harry, once self-described as the royal family’s “spare,” is now being viewed as playing a similar secondary role in his own marriage to Meghan Markle, according to a royal commentator. In a new interview with the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams offered insight into the shifting dynamic between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, suggesting that Harry is finding it difficult to keep pace with Meghan’s growing ambitions, particularly in the business world.
Since stepping down from royal duties and relocating to the United States in 2020, the couple has embarked on a range of new ventures. While Meghan has taken the lead with fresh business pursuits, including her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, Harry has largely focused on charity work, notably the Invictus Games.
“Harry is increasingly finding himself as the spare in a relationship with Meghan, which undoubtedly involves mutual affection, but where their priorities differ widely,” Fitzwilliams remarked. The royal expert suggested that while Harry remains committed to causes close to his heart, such as veterans’ support and child welfare, he lacks the same level of calculated ambition and media savvy that Meghan exhibits.
“Invictus means a lot to him; it was a joy to see him at the WellChild Awards last year,” Fitzwilliams said. “He genuinely enjoyed being with the children; it seemed as though the ‘old Harry’ was temporarily back.” He continued, “However, though often emotional, he lacks Meghan’s ruthlessness, which was so apparent in the Oprah interview.”
That now-infamous 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey marked a turning point for the couple’s public image and set the tone for much of their post-royal narrative. Fitzwilliams implies that Meghan’s strategic approach to both media and branding has fueled her solo momentum, while Harry appears more uncertain about his long-term role outside the monarchy.
Meghan has made headlines recently with the rollout of new business ventures and creative partnerships, signaling a pivot toward establishing her own brand identity independent of her royal past. Meanwhile, Harry, though present at public engagements and still deeply involved in select philanthropic causes, has been less visible in the high-powered media and entrepreneurial circles his wife now frequents.
Fitzwilliams’ remarks add fuel to ongoing speculation about the couple’s evolving relationship and whether diverging goals could place further strain on their public and private lives. Despite the speculation, the Duke and Duchess continue to present a united front—at least for now.