Prince Harry has undergone a remarkable transformation, moving from a royal rebel battling the headlines to a figure who appears more regal than ever. This transformation is largely attributed to the controversial actions of his disgraced uncle and ex-aunt, who have been repeatedly linked to a child sex offender. Adding insult to injury, the uncle is currently under investigation for misconduct in public office.
In light of these developments, Ms. Jan Moir penned an article for the Daily Mail, drawing attention to the stark difference in optics between the US-based royals and their counterparts in the UK. While the latter were previously criticized for their faux royal tours, they now appear "better than some" in this "harsh light." Specifically, Harry and Meghan have made an 8,000-mile journey from Montecito to the Middle East, "pantingly keen" to demonstrate that "despite royal scandal, there is no end to their kindness and compassion, their sense of global duty, and their humanitarianism."
This trip was courtesy of the World Health Organization (WHO), and they donated £370,000 to projects that provide prosthetic limbs for children who lost limbs during conflicts. While the cause is undoubtedly "worthy," compared to the money Meghan has spent on herself, the donation is "hardly a fortune" in terms of global benevolence.
Ms. Moir's calculations, shared in her article for the Mail, reveal that the wardrobe Meghan wore during filming for With Love, Meghan—the ensemble cost 'almost as much' as the donation. In particular, she drew attention to Meghan's Cartier diamonds and £700 leather sandals. To put the donation into perspective, she compared it to what the UK government pledged from 2024-2028—£310 million to the WHO.
However, at the end of her piece, Ms. Moir clarified that "optics are everything." During their trip, the couple looked "more like royalty than royalty; glowing, confident, even smug," in her view. At least compared to the ex-Yorks. She also warned that while Meghan and Harry may choose to 'gloat' behind the scenes at the House of Windsor, they do so at their own peril. The reason being that "their present is rooted in the past; their standing is based on heritage not achievement, and they are only being treated like royalty in Jordan because of Prince Harry's ancestors." She concluded by signing off.
