BetterUp, the coaching firm, found itself in hot water after abruptly cutting Prince Harry’s live stream appearance at a Mental Health Summit.
The Duke of Sussex, serving as Chief Impact Officer for BetterUp, was notably absent from the online event he was slated to speak at.
Despite being listed as a speaker beforehand, attendees who paid £1,300 to be present in person were left disappointed by his no-show.
Following the unexpected turn of events, it was later revealed that Prince Harry had participated in a session focused on navigating the challenges of modern life and corporate responsibilities.
A post on Sussex.com shed light on his involvement, showcasing images of him alongside The Office star Mindy Carling during the panel discussion.
Dressed casually in dark jeans, an unbuttoned white shirt, and a grey blazer, Harry shared the stage with Dr Adam Grant, BetterUp’s Chairman of the Centre for Purpose and Performance, and Kelly Jones, Chief People Officer at Cisco.
However, sources close to the situation disclosed that BetterUp made the controversial decision to cut Harry off from the live stream due to concerns over potential backlash from the public.
It was suggested that Harry’s lack of familiarity with workplace burnout topics prompted this action, despite his prominent position within the company.
The Sussex.com post featuring the photos of Harry and Mindy Carling drew attention to their previous collaboration on Meghan Markle’s Spotify podcast series Archetypes.
During the Summit’s ‘Beyond Burnout’ session, Prince Harry engaged in discussions alongside Dr Grant and Miss Jones, but no video footage of their conversation has been released to date.
While Sussex.com highlighted Harry’s insights on managing burnout, some critics took to social media platforms to express skepticism about his credibility on the subject.
Questions were raised about Harry’s personal experiences with stress and his suitability to address corporate workplace challenges given his decision to step back from royal duties.
The backlash intensified as individuals voiced their disapproval of Harry’s involvement with BetterUp, with one commentator on Daily Mail suggesting that his royal titles were the primary reason for his speaking engagements.
Others criticized Harry’s perceived lack of understanding of common stressors faced by the general populace, citing his privileged upbringing and perceived detachment from everyday struggles.
Another critic condemned Harry’s alleged management style, accusing him of resorting to mistreatment of staff as a coping mechanism.
In the aftermath of the Summit, a wave of criticism engulfed Prince Harry and BetterUp, casting doubts on the authenticity of his expertise in mental health and workplace stress management.
Despite his attempts to engage in meaningful discussions on burnout and corporate challenges, the negative sentiment surrounding his involvement raised valid concerns about his suitability as a spokesperson for such issues.
As the dust settled, it became evident that Harry’s association with BetterUp had sparked more controversy than acclaim, leaving both parties under scrutiny in the court of public opinion.