New Royal Photo From Wimbledon Shows Exactly What's Wrong With the Monarchy Without Prince Harry
Prince Harry's potential royal return is back in the spotlight, with one commentator arguing that a stretched monarchy could desperately use a touch of Sussex magic.
Prince Harry may have traded his protocol-filled life in the UK for a more private one in the US, but his past role within the monarchy is still remembered. On June 29, attention shifted to the Duke of Sussex following the release of photos showing a frail, 90-year-old Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, at Wimbledon. The images prompted royal commentator Daniela Elser to argue that the monarchy's reliance on its elderly members underscores the need for younger royals like Harry to return to the fold and shoulder some of the responsibilities.
In an opinion piece for news.com.au, Elser argued that the Duke of Kent's appearance was proof that a heavy workload of engagements had taken its toll. She penned, "This man, yes, this one, has in just the last six months undertaken 26 official engagements connected with his 140 ongoing charity roles, including as the Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Colonel Emeritus of the Scots Guards, President of the Imperial War Museums, and Chancellor of the University of Surrey." Elser added that the Duke's weary appearance underscores exactly why the Firm needs younger faces like Harry to step up and support the institution.
Against that backdrop, Elser noted that the monarchy's reliance on its oldest working members comes at a time when public support for the institution is waning. Citing an Ipsos poll showing that just 55% of Britons now support the monarchy—down from 80% during the late Queen Elizabeth's reign—she suggested the decline reflects public fatigue with an aging roster of royals and a lack of younger faces. She continued, "The royal family badly needs an injection of a bit of pep and sizzle, younger faces who have at least once in their life used Uber Eats and don't fondly remember the penny-farthing."
And that is where she believed it was high time for Harry to step in, praising his ability to connect with people during charitable engagements, much like his late mother, Princess Diana. She wrote, "What the monarchy has in Harry is a readymade, fully trained, turnkey Duke who knows the ropes, who was once routinely voted the most popular member of the royal family, and who could help pick up the slack." According to Elser, the Duke of Sussex's natural ability to relate to people of all ages would make him a valuable asset to the firm, should he ever return to a formal role.
