Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Golden Globes roast "shows they're relevant" going into a "watershed" year, a PR expert told Newsweek.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were mocked by host Jo Koy during a monologue in which he discussed Imelda Staunton's role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown.
"Her portrayal of the queen was so good Prince Harry called her and asked her for money," the comedian said. "It turns out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still get paid millions of dollars for doing absolutely nothing—and that's just by Netflix."
In the aftermath of their Oprah Winfrey interview in March 2021, there was a degree of reverence around Harry and Meghan but they rapidly became repeat targets for comedians after the publication of the prince's book Spare, in January 2023.
Skits noted, among other things, Harry's struggles with getting frost bite on his penis.
However, Mark Borkowski, a U.K.-based PR consultant and author of Improperganda, told Newsweek: "It shows they're still relevant. One thing is to be joked about, the worst thing is not to be joked about. One thing about Harry, he did have a sense of humor.
"I know in America and particularly in Hollywood everything needs to be pristine and clean and there isn't the same level of self-deprecation as in this country but the fact of the matter is it would be a poor award ceremony if there wasn't a Harry and Meghan joke."
However, Borkowski said there were also challenges ahead for the couple in bouncing back from bumps in the road like the collapse of their Spotify deal last year.
"It's a watershed year for them in many ways," he said. "They've got to start thinking about generating positivity and they've got to think about what their strategy is for the future.
"What they have been doing to date isn't working for them. One thing they need to do is be seen to be a good box office bet in whatever they do. At the moment that doesn't seem to be the case, there's too many failures associated with their names so they've got to change that."
Borkowski's comments echo the perspective of author Omid Scobie, whose book Endgame recently caused a global media storm around Meghan's allegation against the monarchy relating to skin color.
Scobie told Newsweek in November: "I mean, there are obviously things in the book [Spare] that were great stand-up fodder.
"From what I understand, he [Harry] gets it, he got it. You know, I don't think there was any kind of hurt feelings about that.
"And quite honestly, if you're a public figure, a celebrity, you want to be included in those late-night monologues. You want to be an SNL skit, these are the things that show that you've made it."
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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