Prince Harry’s insensitivity to public perception has recently been highlighted by Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl. In an interview on Kinsey Schofield’s Heirs and Spares, Nicholl discussed the growing controversies surrounding Harry and Meghan, particularly since Harry’s acceptance of the Pat Tillman Award.
Nicholl described Harry as “slightly tone deaf” to how others perceive him and his actions. She suggested that the couple’s self-absorption might be a contributing factor. “I think they probably are so immersed in their own narrative that they find it quite hard to understand why people take a pop at them,” Nicholl explained. “They probably find it so hard to understand why they are so divisive.”
Nicholl warned that this disconnect could have ongoing consequences. “I do think that sometimes they have the tendency to come over as being slightly tone-deaf,” she said before concluding the interview. The controversy over the Pat Tillman Award, which Harry received, has exacerbated public criticism.
Many, including the family of Pat Tillman, a former American football player who left a lucrative sports career to enlist in the army, have voiced their disapproval. The backlash included thousands of signatures on petitions demanding a new nominee for the award, highlighting the sensitivity and high stakes of such honors.
Nicholl’s comments and the recent uproar underscore the broader challenges Harry and Meghan face in aligning their actions with public expectations and sentiments. As the couple navigates their public roles, they may need to address these perception issues to avoid further divisiveness.