Experts Say Prince Harry Seems Like a 'Spare' to Meghan Markle

Some news reports say Prince Harry is seen as the 'spare' in his marriage to Meghan Markle. This is because Meghan is focused on her career and business, while Harry works more with charities. Experts have shared their thoughts on this idea.
By Newsroom | Royal Family, Celebrity News |

Reports and expert commentary suggest a shift in the marital dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with observations frequently framing Prince Harry in a "spare" role, mirroring his past position within the royal family. This framing arises amidst their divergent career paths, particularly Meghan Markle's focused pursuit of cinematic projects and brand building, while Prince Harry's public activities have largely centered on charity work. The assertion is that Harry may be increasingly overshadowed by his wife's ambitions, leading to a perception of separate lives and roles.

Divergent Paths in Hollywood and Beyond

Since their decision to step back from senior royal duties in 2020, both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on new ventures in their adopted home of California. Media reports indicate that Meghan Markle is actively pursuing projects within the entertainment industry and developing her personal brand.

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Prince Harry Becomes a 'Spare' in His Own Marriage as Meghan Markle's Ambition Fuels 'Separate Lives' - 1

  • Meghan Markle is described as "pushing deeper into cinematic projects and brand-building."

  • Prince Harry's recent public engagements have predominantly focused on his long-standing commitment to charity work, such as the Invictus Games and WellChild Awards.

This divergence in professional focus has led to commentary from various individuals identifying as "royal experts" and "analysts."

"In the royal family, he was the spare to Prince William. In Hollywood, he risks becoming the supporting character to Meghan Markle's ambitions. Prince Harry has essentially traded one hierarchy for another." - Kinsey Schofield, royal expert.

The "Spare" Archetype in a New Context

The recurring theme across multiple reports is the application of the "spare" label to Prince Harry within his marriage. This term, previously associated with his role as the younger sibling to Prince William, the heir to the throne, is now being used to describe his perceived position in relation to Meghan Markle's professional drive.

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Prince Harry Becomes a 'Spare' in His Own Marriage as Meghan Markle's Ambition Fuels 'Separate Lives' - 2

  • Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, has stated that Prince Harry is "struggling to find his place amid the rise of the Duchess of Sussex on the business front."

  • Fitzwilliams also noted that Harry "is increasingly finding himself as the spare in a relationship with Meghan which undoubtedly involves mutual affection, but where their priorities differ widely."

  • This echoes observations from Kinsey Schofield, who noted that Harry risks becoming the "supporting character to Meghan Markle's ambitions."

This interpretation suggests that while affection may exist within the relationship, their respective career trajectories and public roles are creating a noticeable imbalance.

Visual and Expert Interpretations

Certain public appearances and media portrayals have been cited as evidence supporting the "spare" narrative. A Time magazine cover featuring the couple was specifically analyzed by body language experts, who suggested it visually underscored Meghan Markle's dominance.

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Prince Harry Becomes a 'Spare' in His Own Marriage as Meghan Markle's Ambition Fuels 'Separate Lives' - 3

  • Body language expert Judi James analyzed a Time magazine cover, remarking it showed Harry "quite openly (and presumably compliantly) posing as Meghan's 'Spare.'"

  • She further noted that Meghan "dominates nearly two-thirds of this cover photo and said her white outfit upstages Harry’s plain black clothing."

  • Richard Eden, a royal analyst, discussed how the same Time magazine cover depicted Harry in a secondary position while Meghan appeared more dominant.

These analyses posit that such imagery reinforces perceptions of a power dynamic where Harry assumes a less prominent, or "supporting," role.

Contrasting Priorities and Perceived Ambition

Commentators suggest that the perceived difference in ambition is a key factor in this dynamic. Meghan Markle's engagement in multiple business ventures is highlighted, while Harry's consistent focus on his charitable initiatives is noted.

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Prince Harry Becomes a 'Spare' in His Own Marriage as Meghan Markle's Ambition Fuels 'Separate Lives' - 4

  • Reports mention Meghan's involvement in new business projects, including her brand "As Ever."

  • Prince Harry's continued dedication to charity work is presented as a contrast to Meghan's business-oriented endeavors.

This difference in focus is interpreted by some as a sign of divergent priorities, with Meghan being characterized as "more driven."

Absence of Definitive Statements

It is important to note that the provided data consists of reports and opinions from self-identified "royal experts" and "analysts." Direct statements from Prince Harry or Meghan Markle confirming these dynamics are not present in the aggregated information. The evidence presented is largely circumstantial, relying on interpretations of their public actions, media coverage, and the opinions of commentators.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'spare' mean in this story?
It means someone who is not the main focus or is in a less important role, like Prince Harry was to his brother Prince William.
Q: Why do some people think Harry is a 'spare' now?
They think this because Meghan Markle is very focused on her career and business, and Harry's work is more about charity.
Q: What do the experts say about their careers?
Experts say Meghan is very driven in her career, and Harry's work is different. They think Harry might feel like he is in her shadow.
Q: Have Harry or Meghan said anything about this?
No, the reports are based on what experts and news writers think about their public actions and media pictures.
Q: What is an example used to show this idea?
A magazine cover picture was looked at by experts who said it made Meghan look more important than Harry.