Prince Harry and Meghan Markle criticized on charity, lifestyle, and public engagements

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were once feted for their decision to step away from royal duties to carve out their own path, have now been pilloried over their lifestyle and charity work. A German TV documentary titled Harry: The Lost Prince has criticized the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for an “elitist” and “isolated” life in the United States, questioning their efforts at philanthropy and public engagements.

Declining Donations and Low Participation in Charitable Work

The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization led by Harry and Meghan, has received a drastic decline in donations that have decreased from $13 million in 2021 to just $2 million in 2022. In fact, filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald, who produced the documentary, indicated that the couple spends only about an hour a week on the foundation’s work, which has raised more questions on the efficiency of their charity work.

“What surprised me the most was how ineffectively Harry and Meghan’s foundation is organized,” said Grunewald in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Life Under Fire in California

The couple’s life in California was also revealed in the documentary. Neighbors described their life under fire as “isolated” and claimed that they rarely took part in community activities or attended cultural events.

I, myself, do not see the benefits that Meghan brings to our society. She hardly goes out nor becomes involved, said one neighbor. Another mentioned while Harry looks more outgoing, in this household, they rarely socialized.

Choreographed Abroad Trips and Influencer Encounters
The Sussexes also received backlashes for their public engagements abroad. Critics state that their international travels are “carefully orchestrated” for projecting the image of the global benefactors while working with mostly the elites only.

Dai Davies, former Head of Royal Protection, stated that Harry and Meghan’s interactions with everyday people on their travels seem staged. “The vast majority of people in Colombia are very poor. Yet during these tours, he mixes with the upper classes,” said Davies.

Security Concerns and Public Perception

The documentary covers Harry’s explosive revelation in his memoir Spare where he stated killing Taliban fighters. Neighbors and critics claim that statements of this nature expose unnecessary security risks and depict a life cut off from the community.

Challenges for the Sussexes

As the couple moves on with life after royalty, scrutiny of their efforts is mounting. Their supporters appreciate their independence, but critics say that their actions are not as strong as the expectations they set up as advocates for global change.

The documentary Harry: The Lost Prince will be aired next month, promising further insights into the lives of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.