Prince Harry no longer has an audience for his kind of thing: ‘There is a reason’
Prince Harry has received cautionary advice from royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo about his endeavors in Hollywood, suggesting that the royal might face significant challenges due to a limited audience interested in his activities. This perspective was shared during a recent interview with GB News, where Heydel-Mankoo discussed the potential limitations in the Duke of Sussex’s appeal to the broader Hollywood market.
Heydel-Mankoo, who frequently offers insights on royal affairs, elaborated on the specific nature of Prince Harry’s current public engagement efforts and his transition into the entertainment industry. He noted that while Prince Harry has a substantial following, the niche nature of his projects and the specific audience they cater to might not align well with the vast and varied demands of Hollywood’s mainstream audience.
It all began with him saying, “He knows how to be a prince, how to be a soldier, and how to play polo.” “He has done the Prince Harry and Meghan documentary. He has done the soldier Invictus” and “this is the third thing he has got left.” “But the problem there, of course, is that polo isn’t like football,” Mr Heydel-Mankoo explained. “There is a reason why it is not played on television” and “[It] is because they have a very small audience for these sorts of things.”
The commentator highlighted the fact that Prince Harry’s activities, particularly those that involve deeply personal or politically charged topics, might not resonate with a large segment of the entertainment-seeking demographic. This could potentially limit the success of his projects in a highly competitive market where broad appeal is often key to sustainability and profitability.
During the interview, Heydel-Mankoo also pointed out that Prince Harry’s status as a royal exile of sorts – having stepped back from senior royal duties and moved to the United States – adds another layer of complexity to his public persona. This situation places him in a unique but challenging position as he navigates his new life away from the Royal Family’s direct influence, seeking to carve out a new identity that leverages his royal background yet strives for independence and personal growth.
Furthermore, Heydel-Mankoo issued several warnings, advising Prince Harry to be mindful of the content he chooses to produce and promote. The commentator stressed the importance of understanding the cultural and market dynamics of Hollywood, which differ significantly from the environment of royal duties and charity work that Prince Harry was previously accustomed to.
The advice comes at a critical time as Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been actively pursuing various media projects, including multi-million dollar deals with streaming giants like Netflix. These projects are highly anticipated but carry the risk of being met with mixed receptions depending on how well they manage to bridge the gap between their royal heritage and their new roles as producers of content that is both engaging and commercially viable.
Overall, Heydel-Mankoo’s comments serve as a reminder that while Prince Harry has a dedicated fan base, the success of his Hollywood ventures will heavily depend on his ability to adapt and cater to a wider audience that may not be as invested in royal narratives or personal revelations that have been the hallmark of his recent public appearances and productions.