Prince Harry Warned Against Relying on PR Spin in Effort to Win Back Public Trust
Prince Harry is reportedly working to “regain public trust” as he embarks on a series of public appearances and charitable endeavors. However, royal commentators have warned the Duke of Sussex not to rely too heavily on PR tactics. The caution comes after Harry attended the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, where he paid tribute to children and teenagers who were honored at the event.
Following this appearance, Harry embarked on a week-long trip to Lesotho for his Sentebale charity, a cause close to his heart. His recent actions have been positively received, particularly in the wake of his criticisms of the Royal Family shared in his Netflix documentary and his memoir Spare.
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Royal author Phil Dampier commented that while Harry “showed his best side” during his appearance in London, it may be premature to declare that he has “turned over a new leaf.” He told the Mail Online, “If Harry does more WellChild-style events and less whinging, I’m all in favor of it. He showed his best side the other day in London and now he’s carrying on good work in Lesotho and South Africa with his Sentebale project.”
However, Dampier warned that a few positive actions won’t be enough to repair the Duke’s strained relationship with the public and his family. “I think it’s too early to say he has turned over a new leaf,” he explained, adding that Harry’s new PR team may have advised him to tone down the criticism of the Royal Family, as many people, both in the UK and abroad, are growing tired of it.
Dampier also suggested that Harry’s recent independent actions—separate from his wife, Meghan Markle—might be a step in the right direction. “Now it seems he is striking out on his own and doing things without her, and maybe that’s the way forward. She can concentrate on her American Riviera Orchard products and make money for the family, and he should go back to helping good causes.”
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The royal commentator also cautioned that Harry must earn back the trust of the British public through genuine efforts, not just PR stunts. “If the old Harry comes back, that’s a good thing,” Dampier said, but added, “It’s going to take a lot more than just a couple of weeks of headline-catching jobs to win back the trust of his family and the affection of the public.”
As Prince Harry continues his charitable work, it remains to be seen whether his recent efforts will be enough to rebuild the trust he has lost. For now, royal watchers are keeping a close eye on the Duke’s next moves.