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Prince Harry was left fuming after being upstaged by the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon last weekend. Harry had traveled to the US to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs on July 20th. However, all the attention ended up on Catherine as she made a surprise visit to the Wimbledon men's final the following day.
Photos and videos of Catherine grinning and applauding at Centre Court swept social media and news sites. Dressed casually in a polka dot dress and pearls, the Princess seemed delighted to be watching the match between Djokovic and Kyrgios. Most striking was the spontaneous standing ovation Catherine received from the star-studded crowd when she entered the Royal Box.
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This must have been humiliating for Harry, who was in California just hours before receiving a minor award during a sports ceremony very few cared about. While Catherine was fulfilling her royal duties and bringing her star power and class to Wimbledon, Harry's appearance at the ESPYs was widely seen as opportunistic. Some saw it as a cynical attempt by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to stay relevant in the US after stepping back from royal duties in Britain.
Harry has lived for attention and recognition his entire life. Yet here he was upstaged effortlessly by his elegant sister-in-law without even trying. Catherine simply showed up to Wimbledon to do her job of promoting British institutions like the championships. She didn't have to give a speech or solicit applause. Her warm smile and presence was enough to generate a fanfare of clicks and shares on social media.
The silent treatment the Sussexes received when they arrived and departed the ESPYs also seemed to highlight how little interest there really is in the couple in America now. While Catherine represented the monarchy with dignity at Wimbledon, Harry just came across as desperate for affirmation as he clung to veterans for cover during the awkward encounters with reporters.
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The Sussexes have always relied heavily on calculated publicity stunts and hob-nobbing with celebrities to convince the world they are relevant. Yet within days, all the buzz around their latest scheme evaporated. Meanwhile, Catherine's fleeting visit to Wimbledon managed to lift the nation's spirit during difficult times. She brought spontaneous smiles and a sense of stability to the championship in her role as Princess of Wales.
It couldn't have been a easy pill for Harry to swallow. Here he was collecting another trumped up award while his brother William's wife stole the limelight effortlessly. At an event that is one of the biggest in the tennis calendar, Catherine didn't have to announce her arrival or do anything other than greet players and enjoy the match. And yet she ended up dominating headlines across the globe while Harry was promptly forgotten.
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While Catherine radiated class and warmth as she socially engaged with fans in the Royal Box, Harry hid behind a human shield of veterans before scuttling off to dodge questions. All the Sussexes' money spent on awards ceremonies and publicity can't buy them even a fraction of the genuine admiration and respect felt for senior working royals like Catherine. She has that rare "it factor" that draws people to her through empathy, elegance and likability rather than bombshell stunts.
Back in the UK, many snickered at how the Sussexes failed yet again to gain any traction. While Catherine brought joy to people recovering from hardship, Harry and Meghan just came across as obsessed with self-promotion. Even their most ardent supporters had to admit the couple paled in comparison the shining star that is the new Princess of Wales.
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While America grapples with turmoil, Catherine provided a reassuring moment of uplift. And despite all their attempts to stay newsworthy, Harry and Meghan were already yesterday's old news. The Sussexes must be gnashing their teeth realizing they will never recapture the magic or admiration the monarchy holds without the responsibilities of royal duty. They chose fame over service, yet have only succeeded in highlighting how dispensable they truly are.
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