The Duke of Sussex's surprise appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been branded another 'embarrassment' and a clear sign that he and Meghan Markle have 'completely lost their way' across the Atlantic, according to a leading UK public relations expert.
A 'Painful' Performance That Failed to Land
PR guru Mark Borkowski said Prince Harry's 'painful' jokes during the Christmas sketch, which mocked Donald Trump and referenced his royal status, largely failed to connect with the audience. Borkowski argued that the novelty of a British prince in America 'worn off some time ago'.
'Harry’s Colbert skit isn’t “embarrassing” because he’s chasing US celebrity, it’s embarrassing because he’s doing it badly,' Borkowski stated. He criticised the Duke's reliance on tired tropes, saying: 'Making fun of your own privilege only works when the audience believes you’ve transcended it. Harry hasn’t. The jokes land like a man reminding you of a punchline that expired three years ago.'
The appearance, which aired in the US, saw Prince Harry join the liberal comedian for a spoof Hallmark holiday movie audition. The segment involved a series of awkward gags, including Harry claiming Americans were so 'obsessed with royalty' they had 'elected a king'—a direct jab at Donald Trump that prompted pantomime boos from the studio audience.
The 'Identity Vacuum' of a Former Royal
Borkowski suggested the TV spot highlighted a deeper issue for Harry, who finds himself in an 'identity vacuum' since stepping back from royal duties. 'What we’re seeing is the classic identity vacuum of a man who walked out of the royal machine without building a new one to stand in,' he explained.
'Every skit, every podcast cameo, every crowd-pleasing wisecrack is an attempt to reverse-engineer a persona the public never actually asked for,' Borkowski added. He pinpointed the core dilemma: 'You can’t reinvent yourself while still selling tickets to the old you. He wants to be “just Harry,” but every beat of the joke depends on the audience knowing he isn't.'
The PR expert concluded that the Duke's efforts now appear 'a bit… thirsty', noting: 'The famous don’t mind being mocked they fear being ignored. Harry’s skating worryingly close to the latter.'
Sketch Details and Family News Overshadowed
During the skit, Harry desperately pleaded for a part, listing his skills like horse riding and helicopter flying, and joking about his 'showbiz connections'—a reference to his wife, Meghan Markle. The segment ended with artificial snow and Harry being named the 'official Late Show prince of Christmas'.
The broadcast coincided with the revelation that Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle, was fighting for his life in intensive care in the Philippines following emergency surgery. Neither Harry nor Meghan publicly addressed the health crisis.
Prior to the show, Meghan had promoted her husband's appearance on her Instagram, sharing a clip of Harry and Colbert lip-syncing to a viral moment from The Great British Bake Off. This followed the release of her Netflix holiday special.
This was Harry's second appearance on Colbert's show, having previously visited in January 2023 to promote his memoir, Spare. The latest cameo, devoid of a traditional interview, left many viewers cringing as the Duke's deadpan humour fell flat, underscoring the challenging transition from senior royal to American celebrity.
