Prince Harry has once again found himself at the center of controversy after attending Kris Jenner’s lavish 70th birthday celebration on Remembrance Weekend. The Duke of Sussex’s appearance at the star-studded event has sparked intense backlash from royal fans and experts who have accused him of showing poor judgment.
The event, hosted at Jeff Bezos’s 165 million dollar mansion, was attended by more than 300 A-list guests, including Hollywood stars and high-profile celebrities. Harry arrived hand in hand with Meghan Markle, who appeared elegant but noticeably without a poppy a symbol traditionally worn to honor fallen soldiers.
Observers quickly pointed out the timing of the couple’s appearance. Many found it inappropriate that the Duke attended a celebrity party during a weekend dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives in war. Harry, once a proud military officer, has been called out for what critics are describing as a disrespectful move.
Royal expert Charlotte Griffiths expressed her disappointment during an interview with GB News. She said, “It’s the most tragic display from these two that we’ve seen in a long time, if not ever. It couldn’t be less appropriate to attend a Kardashian-style, showbiz event on such a solemn weekend.”
She further added that the couple’s attendance made little sense given their lack of close ties to the Kardashians or Kris Jenner. “This isn’t Harry’s best friend’s birthday it’s unforgivable,” Griffiths said firmly, emphasizing how detached the couple seemed from the values Harry once represented.
The timing has only fueled growing criticism that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have drifted too far into the Hollywood spotlight, distancing themselves from their royal duties and traditions. Many royal watchers have also questioned whether Meghan influenced the decision to attend such a glamorous event despite its controversial timing.
Adding to the tension, Harry had just returned from a two-day trip to Toronto where he attended Remembrance-related events, meeting with veterans and members of the armed forces. His presence there had initially been praised as a sign of respect for his military background. But that goodwill quickly faded when images surfaced of him at Kris Jenner’s birthday celebration shortly after.
Read More: Kate Middleton Steps Back from Prominent Royal Role as Queen Camilla Takes the Lead
Royal biographer Tom Bower weighed in on the situation, saying, “Harry looked fed up being paraded one day at a veterans’ event and then attending a celebrity party the next. It sends a confusing message about where his priorities lie.”
Bower went even further by suggesting that Harry may now be under growing pressure due to family tensions back in the United Kingdom. “He is clearly worried about what his brother might do in the future, both publicly and privately, against himself and his ambitious wife,” he added.
Social media also erupted with criticism, with many users calling Harry’s attendance “tone deaf” and “disrespectful.” Others pointed out that wearing a poppy while attending a Hollywood bash did little to redeem the situation.
Supporters of the Duke, however, argue that Harry was likely trying to balance personal and professional obligations. Some claim that he may have attended out of courtesy, especially given Meghan’s close connections in the entertainment world.
Still, for many Britons, Remembrance Weekend remains one of the most sacred times of the year a moment for reflection and gratitude, not glitz and glamour. And for Prince Harry, who once served with distinction in Afghanistan, his decision to celebrate amid the Hollywood elite has only deepened questions about how much of the royal ethos remains in his life.
As one royal commentator put it, “Prince Harry used to stand for honor, duty, and sacrifice. Now it seems those values are fading fast under the bright lights of Los Angeles.”
