Why Prince Harry Looked Like ‘the Old Harry’ at Invictus Awards, According to a Former Royal Aide
EXCLUSIVE: Former royal aide Dickie Arbiter says the ‘old Harry’ is still there and reveals when it shows up.
PRINCE Harry's public image has been debated for years, and his marriage to Meghan Markle has only kept the conversation going. Now, a man who once worked inside the palace has weighed in. Joshua Rom, the Associate Editor of The Royal Observer, recently sat down with Dickie Arbiter, the former royal aide, who also served as the press secretary for the late Queen Elizabeth for about 12 years. They engaged in an exclusive conversation discussing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s controversial dynamic in marriage and whether Harry’s public persona and behavior have truly evolved over the years. The conversation also turned to Harry's recent appearance at the Invictus Spirit Awards, where, according to Arbiter, the 'old Harry' was on full display.
Rom pointed to Arbiter’s chapter on ‘hot-headed Harry,’ questioning whether the Duke has always been hot-headed and if his marriage has changed him. To this, Arbiter responded by saying, “It's actually a combination of all those things that you mentioned. Harry is still Harry; when he's without his wife, he is the old Harry. But when they're together, he's kind of the sort of second fiddle. He's always pushed to the back. I think marriage does change people and Harry certainly has changed, and I’d put my hand on my heart and say he's not changed for the better."
But that’s not all; he also explained how Harry’s personality seems to switch depending on whom he is with. While discussing this, he elaborated, “Well, until he realizes what it is that he wants to do and gets on and does it, and doesn't try to be a star because not everybody has star quality and Harry doesn't. Do the charity work; he's good at that. But there are only so many charities you can do. But he's not earning any money because he doesn't have a talent to earn money.” This is when Rom agreed with him. He also explained how we saw Harry was practically radiant at the Invictus Spirit Awards recently.
He went on to discuss how the successful event attracted many celebrities, including James Corden, who opened and hosted the landmark evening. To this, Arbiter responded with a nod as he exclaimed, “Well, he’s buddies with James Corden. They've been buddies in the States, but yeah, it was the old Harry, because he wasn't with his wife. When he's with her, he's not the same Harry!” Ultimately, it is safe to say that these comments painted a rather complicated picture of Harry’s public persona, while also clearly establishing that the ‘old Harry’ still exists.
In fact, Arbiter believes that we get glimpses of the ‘old Harry’ when he is shining on his own.
