‘It brings back memories of the Prince who once had so special a part in our national life,’ royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Daily Mail. ‘No one could appear more natural or more caring, there were echoes here of his mother.’ Meanwhile, royal author Phil Dampier said that Harry had ‘showed his best side’ in London, adding that ‘it seems he is striking out on his own and doing things without [Meghan] and maybe that’s the way forward… If the old Harry comes back that’s a good thing.’
In the past, Harry and Meghan have always worked together: their new Parents’ Network is a joint venture, their Netflix and Spotify deals were signed together, and each has cheered the other on, no matter the project; the couple even famously work from a shared office at home. Now, however, royal observers are speculating that Harry is changing tack. PR strategist Mark Borkowski believes Harry is going ‘back to basics’ with his approach, adding that the couple ‘had to change the narrative. They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas.’
According to one royal correspondent, ‘those close to [Harry] say he’d like to come over [to Britain] more regularly to work with the charities and organisations he supports’ – whether Harry’s recently packed charity schedule is an expression of this or, as Borkowski suggests, more motivated by relationship management remains to be seen.
However, the overall feeling is undeniable: with Harry (more or less) back on his old form, Beatrice’s happy news and Kate making a steady recovery, the royal family is enjoying a much-needed sunny spell.