Prince Harry is headed to New York City to represent his and Meghan Markle‘s Archewell Foundation during an environmental summit. However, an expert believes the Duke of Sussex struggles to remain “relevant” and create a buzz without Meghan by his side.

Prince Harry has to work twice as hard to remain ‘relevant’ after royal family exit

Prince Harry will travel to the Big Apple solo; Meghan Markle will remain in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The duke will represent the Archewell Foundation during an appearance at the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week.

Former BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole told GB News that being a royal family member generally makes one relevant. Cole added Harry must work harder than other royals to prove his worth since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020.

Cole explained, “If you are a member of the royal family, you are relevant. If you’re a semi-detached member of the royal family living in California, you have to be on the move to show that you are of some worth to the world. Hence the recent trips with his wife to Nigeria and Colombia.”

He also believes Harry’s professional impact could have been more substantial had he stayed within the royal family. Without their backing, the Duke of Sussex works twice as hard to retain public interest.

Cole told GB News of Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, “They come out of the box all the time to prove they are relevant and important. But they could have done an extremely good job within the royal family. They would have had the structure and the support to do wonderful work around the 54 countries of the Commonwealth.”

Harry and Meghan may want to avoid a repeat experience of their last New York trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last visited New York City together in 2023. In February of that year, Meghan received accolades during the Ms. Foundation 2023 Women of Vision Awards.

As they exited the event, the couple’s representative claimed paparazzi had chased Harry and Meghan through the streets of Manhattan.

The NYPD responded to the claims: “On Wednesday evening, May 16, the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination, and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard.”

Michael Cole believes that Meghan stepping back from this trip could be in response to last year’s incident. However, he also quipped, “We don’t know why she’s not going; perhaps she has other things to do. Jam to make, people to talk to on her hilltop in Montecito.”

Prince William will also be in New York City at the same time as Prince Harry

Prince William and Prince Harry photographed in 2021 | Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

While Prince Harry attends the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week, his brother, Prince William, will also be in New York for the Earthshot Prize. The events run simultaneously at the end of September, but Princess Diana’s sons will likely not see each other.

Prince William will be on the East Coast to participate in the third annual Earthshot Prize innovation summit. According to the event’s official website, September’s Summit ushers in a countdown to the prize’s fourth annual awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa.

William began the Earthshot Prize in 2020. It started as a project to protect and restore the environment. The organization’s website states, “Every year from 2021 until 2030, Prince William, alongside The Earthshot Prize Council, which covers six continents, will award The Earthshot Prize to five winners, one per Earthshot.”

It has yet to be revealed if Prince Harry and Prince William will see one another during that time. However, it appears highly unlikely considering the tension between the siblings for the past several years.