Meghan and Harry were ‘snubbed'(Image: Getty Images for TIME)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have been left feeling a tad deflated after missing out on a prestigious accolade that was bestowed upon the Prince and Princess of Wales, suggests a royal expert. William and Kate were recently named in Time 100’s Philanthropy 2025 list, while Harry and Meghan were noticeably absent.
The magazine included William and Kate in its Innovators category, lauding them for “modernising royal philanthropy” and being “less concerned with cultural preservation and more attuned to social issues”. However, it was a different tale for Harry and Meghan who were overlooked for this year’s list, despite having made the cut four years prior.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 to embark on private ventures in the corporate world, had previously secured a spot on Time’s roster of the most influential figures back in 2021, which even featured a cover story on the esteemed publication.
Despite promoting themselves as “shaping the future through business and philanthropy” on their website, the couple failed to make the grade this year.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond stated that the Waleses thoroughly merit their place on the list, but suspects that not receiving a mention themselves would have been a bitter pill for the Sussexes to swallow, reports the Mirror.
William and Kate were recently named in Time 100’s Philanthropy 2025 list in a snub to the Sussexes(Image: PA)“I’m sure Harry and Meghan will be disappointed that they haven’t made the list, especially as they have emphasised their focus on philanthropy on their website. I wish them well with the work they do, but now, firmly outside the royal family, they simply do not pack the same punch as the prince and princess,” she told the publication.
The honour for William and Kate comes as they embark on an ambitious project to revamp community spaces across the UK, utilising a combination of grants and personal time from their Royal Foundation.
They’ve pinpointed several locations nationwide that will benefit from financial support and the establishment of new task forces, which will receive expert advice and guidance from their team. The goal is to build a network of businesses investing in local projects to improve facilities ranging from community hubs to sports centres, with announcements expected in the upcoming months.
Jennie added: “There’s no denying that William and Catherine carry a lot of clout in whatever field they choose to get involved. And they have each made a significant impact in trying to help solve crucial social issues.
“I think they will be pleased that their efforts have been recognised alongside the likes of David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, and Melinda French Gates.
“The Prince and Princess have focused their energy on causes like early development, the environment, homelessness and mental health. These are issues that affect large sections of society.”
She continued, “Their brand of royal patronage is less about elitist cultural preservation and more, as William himself has said, about ‘impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people’.
“Time magazine cited William and Catherine as innovators for modernising royal philanthropy. It recognised that their strategy is to get corporate and expert support for the causes they are working to highlight. They want to be more than just figureheads: they want to bang heads together and get action going to help solve some of society’s many problems.”
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