Los Angeles – Recently, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, unexpectedly became a topic on the popular American TV quiz show, “Family Feud,” revealing Americans’ limited familiarity with the British royal. In a contest that pitted the Hernandez family against the Colley family, the game highlighted just how little the contestants—and by extension, many Americans—know about Prince Harry beyond his marriage to Meghan Markle.
During the episode, host Steve Harvey tasked the Hernandez family with naming six well-known facts about the prince. The most frequent answer, that he is Meghan Markle’s husband, seemed to underwhelm Harvey. Additional recognized facts about Harry included his identity as a prince and the son of the late Princess Diana. However, some of the guesses were off the mark, noting his relationship to Prince William and mistakenly citing him as Queen Elizabeth’s grandson.
On the other hand, Drake Colley led his family to a win by acknowledging Prince Harry’s distinct red hair, showing that some Americans do notice details beyond Harry’s royal connections and marital status. Surprisingly, attributes like “balding” and “hottie” made the cut on the list of popular perceptions about the Duke.
The show’s answers not only reflected a focus on Prince Harry’s physical appearance and personal life but also signaled a poignant cultural disconnect. Despite his residence in Montecito, California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, and his active participation in American public life, including political involvement in the 2020 presidential election alongside his wife, Harry’s recognition by the public seems largely superficial.
This apparent gap may stem from the distance between American public awareness and British royal customs and activities. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have frequently been in the public eye, their activities and Harry’s past accolades as one of the “hottest men of all time” and the “world’s sexiest royal” seem to have faded into the background.
The incident on “Family Feud” underscores a broader issue of how celebrities are perceived in different cultures. Americans’ familiarity or unfamiliarity with figures like Prince Harry can serve as a mirror reflecting broader societal values and interests, prioritizing entertainment and sensationalism over substantial understanding of individuals’ full biographies and achievements.
Moreover, the connection Americans have with the Duke of Sussex exposes the multidimensional nature of celebrity where personal stories and day-to-day actions resonate more than inherited titles or roles performed on the world stage. Even as a royal figure, to many American viewers Prince Harry is first recognized as a husband and media personality, perhaps reflecting the American ethos valuing personal narrative and relatability in public figures.
This reflection begs a question: What does it take for a public figure from one culture to become truly known and appreciated in another? Prince Harry’s ongoing journey in the U.S. might yet provide some answers as he and his wife continue their endeavors in public engagements and activism, potentially bridging gaps between his royal heritage and his American life experiences.