Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s appearance at Kris Jenner’s lavish 70th birthday party hosted by Jeff Bezos has ignited controversy, centered around the swift removal of photographs featuring the couple from social media. The incident raises questions about the Sussexes’ carefully curated public image and their evolving relationship with both Hollywood glitz and their own philanthropic narratives.
Initially fueled by reports that consent forms regarding photography were used at the party – a claim later retracted by People magazine – the situation clarified when sources confirmed to the Daily Mail that no such forms existed. This suggests Harry and Meghan directly requested the photographs featuring them be removed from the Instagram accounts of Jenner and Kim Kardashian.
A source familiar with Kardashian’s reaction alleged the reality TV star was disgruntled by the request, highlighting the hypocrisy in the Sussexes’ stance given their earlier public appearances at other events where photography was freely captured. “Kim is pi**ed off,” the insider claimed.
The high-profile guest list at Jenner’s party – including A-listers like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, and Justin Bieber – underscored the significance of Harry and Meghan’s presence. However, brand expert Nick Ede suggests this association with such prominent figures in Hollywood could clash with the Sussexes’ carefully cultivated image as champions of environmental causes and mental well-being.
“By claiming a friendship with someone like Bezos, the duo ‘goes against the narrative of environmental support and mental health,’” Ede explained to the Daily Mail. He further argued that this situation reveals a deeper dilemma for the couple: “Meghan and Harry have a problem with admitting they are now part of Hollywood society… and they cannot, on one hand, use their star power for good, like going to charity events, and on the other hand, demand they are erased from events they don’t want to be seen to support.”
Ede believes this approach will ultimately backfire. He stresses that “they need Hollywood support now more than ever,” given Bezos’s, Jenner’s, and Kardashian’s considerable influence within the entertainment industry. While the Sussexes have remained silent on the matter, online fans are quick to notice these alterations in social media landscapes, leaving many perplexed about where the couple truly stands.
Their calculated navigation between philanthropy and Hollywood glamour appears increasingly precarious. They may need to choose a definitive path as they face mounting confusion from their audience regarding their allegiances and priorities.
