Prince Harry and Meghan Markle need to “do something if they don’t want to be recognised as losers”, a royal commenter remarked after the pair’s latest Hollywood blow.
The past 12 months have been particularly turbulent for the duke and duchess as they struggled to fit in with their Hollywood peers. However, any hopes for a fresh start in 2024 may have faced challenges, as the couple found themselves targeted in two bold jokes during the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Newsweek that the couple seems to be at a career impasse, highlighting a trend of jokes and satirical portrayals impacting their image.
“Several members of the cast of Suits reunited at the Golden Globes to present the cast of Succession with the Best Drama Series Award, Meghan was not among them, yet the Sussexes were the butt of more jokes.”
READ MORE: Meghan Markle turned down Suits reunion as she was ‘too busy’, says Golden Globes insider
“Host of the Globes, Jo Koy, quipped last night that they had been paid millions ‘for doing absolutely nothing- and that’s just by Netflix!’ If they don’t want to be recognized as ‘losers,’ which is the recent view of the Hollywood Reporter, it’s surely time the “Sussexes actually did something other than continue Harry’s charitable activities which he launched prior to his marriage.”
At the awards ceremony, comedian Jo Koy took aim at Harry and the royal family in his opening monologue, likening them to the HBO drama Succession. He then praised actress Imelda Staunton’s performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the royal drama series, The Crown.
“Her portrayal of the queen was so good, Prince Harry called her and asked her for money,” Koy said, which was met with laughter from the celebrity packed audience.
He went on to target both the prince and his wife. “It turns out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still get paid millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing,” he joked, “and that’s just by Netflix.”
While the jokes may not directly harm the couple, who were not present at the awards, they add to a series of reputational blows.
After the release of Prince Harry’s book ‘Spare’, the pair became the brunt of multiple numerous late night jokes, TV show skits and acerbic comedy takedowns.
An anecdote relating to Prince Harry’s frostbite penis in 2011, where he used Princess Diana’s lip balm as a remedy was spoofed by many.
Following the release of their critical book targeting the U.K. media and members of the royal family, Harry and Meghan witnessed a decline in popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, especially after the airing of their Netflix docuseries.
The couple faced additional challenges as they became the subject of humour, featuring in a satirical episode of South Park and a cutaway sketch in Family Guy. Furthermore, their endeavors failed to secure coveted industry awards, with the Harry & Meghan series missing out on a Primetime Emmy nomination, and Harry’s self-narrated audiobook version of Spare being overlooked for a Grammy.
They also parted ways with their podcast partner Spotify in the same period.
Undeterred by these setbacks, Meghan, in November, expressed enthusiasm about several “exciting” projects lined up by their production company, Archewell Productions.
Up to this point, the duo has unveiled three documentary series for Netflix: “Harry & Meghan” (2022), “Live to Lead” (2022), and “Heart of Invictus” (2023). Meghan also introduced a comprehensive podcast series on Spotify titled “Archetypes” in 2022, which concluded with the conclusion of their collaboration.
Regarding what lies ahead for the couple in Hollywood, Meghan shared insights into their upcoming ventures. “We have so many exciting things on the slate,” she disclosed on the red carpet of the Variety Women of Power Gala. “I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating, and my husband is loving it too.”
