Prince Harry recently found himself at the center of controversy following his appearance at the Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills, California. The Duke of Sussex, attending the event alone on Friday, January 19, became embroiled in a minor scandal when he was photographed with Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a figure who claims royal status through his adoptive mother’s marriage to Prince Waldemar zu Schaumburg-Lippe.
The photograph of Prince Harry alongside Mario-Max, who is often referred to as a ‘fake prince’, has sparked criticism and raised questions about Harry’s diminishing ties to the British royal family. PR expert Jack Izzard, speaking to The Sun, pointed out that the photo serves as evidence of Harry’s increasingly tenuous connection to his royal heritage.
Izzard suggested that being seen with someone of questionable royal status indicates Harry’s desperate hold on his royal identity, describing it as “not a great look” for the Duke. The situation draws uncomfortable parallels to Prince Andrew, Harry’s uncle, who faced public backlash for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Izzard remarked, “As his Uncle Andrew knows, a photo with the wrong person can follow you around forever.” While the circumstances with Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe are not as grave, they are nonetheless seen as an embarrassment for Prince Harry. Additionally, concerns were raised about Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife, and her waning connections in Hollywood.
Speculation about her potential return to the entertainment industry has been cast in doubt due to her diminishing ties. The CEO of Rhizome Media Group commented on the couple’s situation, noting the simultaneous weakening of Meghan’s Hollywood connections and Harry’s royal affiliations.
This incident at the Legends of Aviation Awards has placed Prince Harry in an awkward position, spotlighting the challenges he faces in navigating his post-royal life. His interaction with Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, although seemingly innocuous, underscores the delicate balance Harry must maintain between his royal past and his current status as he and Meghan forge a new path separate from the British monarchy. “It’s not great for them.”
