Despite the success of the Invictus Games, September was a difficult month for Harry and Meghan with a number of blunders giving them knock backs.
The month started with the release of Prince Harry’s highly-anticipated documentary made during the 2022 Invictus Games, Heart of Invictus, on Netflix.
Despite having interviews from athletes and the Duke, the release was not as successful as the Sussexes’ first series ‘Harry & Meghan’ and failed to make the streamer’s top 10.
It contained conversations about mental health as well as a subtle swipe against the Royal Family. Meghan Markle was barely featured.
A week later, Prince Harry was returning to the UK to attend the WellChild Awards when he was denied a room at Windsor Castle. Having moved out from Frogmore Cottage, he no longer has a home in the UK and was told he would need to give more suitable warning.
It has since been reported that the King will give Harry a place to live in the UK so as to not be seen as ‘shunning’ one of his Counsellors of State.
The Duke was then off to open the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany. The founder stayed until the end of the Games a week later.
When Meghan joined him at Invictus later in the week as the games drew to a close, it was the pair’s first major public appearance since the Gloria Awards in New York in May where the Duchess won a Woman of Vision award.
The insider noted a significant change in the couple’s behaviour during their Germany stay, suggesting they have now fully realised they no longer need to abide by royal rules when out in public – appearing relaxed and confident.
Their appearances at the Invictus Games were considered a success, with an awkward incident happening days later at Kevin Costner’s One805 Live! The event was attended by famous faces including Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry.
At one point, a woman walked towards Meghan with a microphone and although the Duchess reached out for it the microphone wasn’t for her.
The couple were also slammed by activists for travelling 18,000 miles on seven flights across two weeks despite their campaigning for action on climate change. They travelled from California to London, to Dusseldorf, to Portugal and back to California.
The month was further stained by reports that the couple had tried to stop teachers and students from speaking negatively about them following a school visit in 2021.
A Freedom of Information request found the Sussexes asked those they met at a New York school to sign a gagging order to prevent them from saying anything bad “now or in the future”.
