Prince Harry was seen enjoying the thrilling atmosphere of the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
The Duke of Sussex, who reportedly attended the event as a guest of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team, seemed to be in high spirits as he mingled with team bosses and executives before the race, according to Town & Country.
Despite his absence from the event, Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, was not by his side.
The prince appeared relaxed and casual in a black polo shirt and jeans, completing his look with black sunglasses.
He greeted people around him with a warm smile and friendly waves.
Prince Harry’s passion for racing is well-known, and he has previously mentioned his go-karting races against Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert.
Interestingly, while Meghan Markle is signed with WME, it is Prince Harry who frequently receives invitations to such events.
This may have caused some frustration for Meghan, as she must have been disappointed to miss out on this occasion.
Rumors suggest that Prince Harry was invited to the event by BetterUp, a company he is affiliated with.
It is reported that BetterUp, which had a deal with Mercedes, asked Prince Harry not to bring Meghan Markle along.
They seemingly wanted him to focus on establishing connections and securing funding for their struggling company.
This indicates that Prince Harry has transitioned into the role of an influencer, leveraging his popularity for various opportunities.
In addition to the news of Prince Harry’s attendance, it is worth mentioning the environmental impact of Formula 1 racing.
The event involves a significant amount of pollution, with cars, crew, and spare parts being flown in exclusively for the race.
Each team travels with three jets, contributing to a shocking number of airplanes required for just a weekend of racing.
Considering that Formula 1 races are held in different parts of the world every weekend, it raises concerns about the excessive carbon footprint associated with this elite sport.
Interestingly, Prince Harry has been criticized for his own environmental choices.
Despite advocating for sustainable practices, he has recently been spotted commuting to work in a convoy of gas-guzzling 4×4 vehicles, when walking would have been a greener option.
Furthermore, he has used private jets for travel, including visits to islands involved in controversial land clearances that displace indigenous populations.
These actions have led to accusations of hypocrisy.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s presence at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Texas generated excitement and curiosity.
While Meghan Markle was absent, Prince Harry appeared to enjoy his time at the event, engaging with team executives and embracing his love for racing.
However, the environmental concerns surrounding Formula 1 racing and Prince Harry’s own choices raise important questions about sustainability and personal responsibility.