Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, recently expressed sharp opinions about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during an appearance on The Ankler podcast. In conversation with host Janice Min, Brown shared her views on the couple’s departure from the British royal family and their subsequent ventures in the United States. Promoting her new Substack “Fresh Hell,” Brown didn’t mince words when it came to their choices and behaviors, portraying both as deeply misguided.
Prince Harry: A Lost Talent
According to Brown, Prince Harry’s decision to step back from his royal duties was a tragedy. She emphasized that Harry was naturally gifted in his role as a royal, asserting, “he’s very good at being Prince Harry.” For Brown, Harry excelled in the public-facing, ceremonial aspects of royalty, something she sees as his true calling. His military service, particularly his time in the British Army, was another area where he thrived. It grounded him and shaped him into a mature and competent individual. However, she laments that Harry’s royal talent is now squandered in the wake of his defection from the royal family.
Brown believes that Harry, now far removed from the royal institution, is a “naïve” figure, unschooled in the practicalities of everyday life. She argued that his royal upbringing sheltered him, meaning he likely never even had to perform basic tasks like booking a table at a restaurant. According to her, Harry is now “a lamb to the slaughter,” easily swayed by Meghan Markle’s influence.
Meghan Markle: A Leader with Poor Judgment
While Brown’s views on Prince Harry were somewhat sympathetic, she reserved her most scathing remarks for Meghan Markle. Brown portrayed Markle as a figure with exceptionally poor judgment, labeling her decision-making as consistently flawed. According to Brown, Markle is “flawless about getting it all wrong,” someone who listens to advice but ultimately chooses to follow her own misguided instincts. Brown pointed out that this pattern has led to a series of unsuccessful ventures and misguided decisions since the couple stepped down from royal duties. She went so far as to claim that all of Markle’s ideas have been “total crap,” blaming her for much of the couple’s struggles post-Megxit.
Harry and Meghan’s Hollywood Dreams
Brown also touched on how Harry was allegedly dazzled by Markle’s Hollywood background, believing her to be a savvy industry insider who could guide them to stardom. Brown painted a picture of Harry as being overly impressed by Markle’s supposed Hollywood expertise, leading him to trust her judgment blindly. Unfortunately for the couple, Brown suggested that Markle’s ambitions have only led them into deeper trouble, as her strategies have failed to deliver the success they likely anticipated.
Brown’s Personal Reflection: The Weinstein Connection
In a rare moment of self-reflection, Brown admitted to her own career misstep: working with disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in the late 1990s. Calling it “the dumbest career move of anybody’s life,” Brown briefly acknowledged her poor decision but quickly shifted the focus back to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Her willingness to admit her mistakes stood in contrast to her portrayal of Markle, whom she suggested refuses to course-correct despite repeated failures.
Conclusion: A Damning Perspective
Tina Brown’s remarks on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry paint a bleak picture of the couple’s current trajectory. While Brown acknowledges Harry’s talent and potential, she sees him as being led astray by Markle’s poor judgment and overconfidence. Brown’s assessment is that Markle’s leadership has been a critical factor in the couple’s faltering ventures, with Harry left as a naïve follower. Ultimately, Brown’s criticism offers a perspective that sees their post-royal life as deeply troubled, with no clear path to success.