Prince Harry faced a wave of humiliation after he was spotted attending Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the same day his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William, participated in Trooping the Colour in London. The Duke of Sussex watched the New York Knicks versus San Antonio Spurs match from the eighth row at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, without his wife, Meghan Markle.
Royal Absence Sparks Criticism
On Saturday, June 13, Prince Harry chose to attend the crucial basketball game rather than join the Royal Family for the annual Trooping the Colour parade. The event, held at Horse Guards Parade, marked the official birthday of the monarch. King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children were among the attendees. The absence of Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as senior royals six years ago, was notable.
Social media users quickly criticized Harry's decision, questioning why he was not seated courtside, a spot typically reserved for celebrities and the wealthy. Comments on Instagram and X ranged from accusations of seeking attention to remarks about his financial status. One user wrote, "He might be rooting for himself, trying to catch some attention since it was trooping the colour parade today." Another added, "Harry sitting in the 8th row makes sense because he probably can’t afford courtside tickets."
Comparison to Royal Life
Critics drew comparisons to his former royal status, with one comment stating, "There was a time when Prince Harry would have been sitting courtside, front and center. Now he’s relegated to the 8th row." The game holds significance for the Knicks, as a win would secure their first NBA Championship since 1973. Harry's appearance came amid ongoing tensions with his family, having relocated to the United States after stepping down from royal duties.
The Trooping the Colour ceremony was attended by other senior royals, including Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and others. Harry and Meghan last participated in the parade in 2020, before their departure from the Royal Family.
