Prince Harry and ‘s transition from royal life to Hollywood hasn’t gone smoothly in the four years since their split from the monarchy, with fresh jabs at the Golden Globes rounding off a particularly turbulent 12-month period.
The duke and duchess signed s with streaming giants and Spotify in 2020, after
While the couple’s road to releasing content through these deals was by no means smooth, 2023 saw a significant change in the way their Hollywood peers treated them. They became the subject of numerous late night jokes, TV show skits and acerbic comedy takedowns.
The main catalyst for this change was the publication of Harry’s memoir, Spare, last January, which included anecdotes ripe for spoofing, including information about an experience withand how he used ‘s lip cream as a home remedy.
![Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Jo Koy](https://i0.wp.com/regalrumination.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/prince-harry-meghan-markle-jo-koy.png?resize=1200%2C800)
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Rich Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images
The book’s criticisms of the U.K. media and royal family members, hot on the heels of Harry and Meghan’s , caused their popularity on either side of the Atlantic to plummet, only slowly moving towards a more positive direction over the following months.
As well as becoming the butt of several jokes, including an entire , and a, the couple also failed to secure prestigious industry awards nods.
The Harry & Meghan series and Harry’s 15-hour self-narrated audiobook version of Spare was snubbed for a highly anticipated Grammy. In the same year, they also
Fresh off of these disappointments, Meghan appeared on the red carpet in November enthused about the couple had lined up on the production slate of their Archewell Productions company.
Hopes the couple may have had about turning over a new leaf in 2024, however, may have stumbled after they found themselves the target of two bold jokes during the 81st Golden Globe Awards in Hollywood on Sunday night.
The January 7 ceremony was attended by the industry’s most important players, including the Sussexes’ Netflix boss, Ted Sarandos, pal and A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and .
During his opening monologue, comedian Jo Koy took aim at Harry and the royal family, likening them to the drama Succession, describing them as a “rich, white dysfunctional family” who were “all scheming.”
He went on to praise actress Imelda Staunton’s performance as in the royal drama series, The Crown.
“Her portrayal of the queen was so good, called her and asked her for money,” Koy said, which was met with laughter from the celebrity packed audience.
![Jo Koy Presenting The Golden Globes](https://i0.wp.com/regalrumination.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jo-koy-presenting-golden-globes.png?resize=1200%2C800)
Rich Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images
He went on to target both the prince and his wife. “It turns out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still get paid millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing,” he joked, “and that’s just by Netflix.”
The coverage of the event then cut camera angles to show Netflix CEO Sarandos, who laughed off the joke, shaking his head from side to side.
While these jokes may not prove damaging to the duke and duchess, who were not present at the awards, it comes as the latest in a long line of reputational knocks.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Regalrumination.com the couple appear to be at a career impasse.
“Several members of the cast of Suits reunited at the Golden Globes to present the cast of Succession with the Best Drama Series Award, Meghan was not among them, yet the Sussexes were the butt of more jokes,” he said of the latest development.
“This began with South Park‘s ‘Worldwide Privacy Tour’ in February, which satirized their hypocritical obsession with privacy. Last year, their [popularity] ratings collapsed in the United States.
“Host of the Globes, Jo Koy, quipped last night that they had been paid millions ‘for doing absolutely nothing- and that’s just by Netflix!’ If they don’t want to be recognized as ‘losers,’ which is the recent view of the Hollywood Reporter, it’s surely time the Sussexes actually did something other than continue Harry’s charitable activities which he launched prior to his marriage.”
![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 2023](https://i0.wp.com/regalrumination.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/prince-harry-meghan-markle-2023.png?resize=1200%2C800)
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
So far, the couple have: Harry & Meghan (2022); Live to Lead (2022); and Heart of Invictus (2023).
Meghan also released a full podcast series with Spotify (Archetypes, 2022) before their partnership ended.
On what the future holds for the couple in Hollywood, Meghan has revealed that they have
“We have so many exciting things on the slate,” she said on the Variety Women of Power Gala red carpet. “I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating and my husband is loving it too.”
Regalrumination.com approached representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex via email for comment.
William Brown is Regalrumination.com‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly ) at and read his stories on Regalrumination.com‘s
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