Prince Harry, the former Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex, encountered a humiliating and unwelcoming atmosphere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.
The incident unfolded on Monday as his wife, Meghan Markle, delivered a speech highlighting her journey as a mother and a feminist.
The crowd gathered backstage reacted with boos and jeers, expressing sentiments like “you’re not welcome here,” “go back to the UK,” and “leave Meghan alone.”
Harry, who had accompanied Meghan to support her and enjoy the festival’s celebration of technology, film, television, and music, was taken aback by the negative reception and swiftly departed the backstage and the venue.
Meghan, invited to the festival in her capacity as a co-founder of the Archwell Foundation and Archwell Productions, as well as a vocal advocate for human rights and gender equality, intended to present a speech titled “Redefining Motherhood: How I Found My Voice and My Purpose.”
She aimed to share her experiences and challenges as a mother to two children, Archie and Lilibet, and as a woman of color navigating the media and entertainment industry.
However, the drama and tension that arose in the backstage, where Harry monitored her speech, overshadowed her intended message.
Harry had chosen to remain backstage to avoid drawing attention away from Meghan’s address and to steer clear of media scrutiny following the fallout from his candid interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In the interview, he raised allegations of racism, neglect, and mistreatment within the monarchy and the media.
Despite his efforts to maintain a low profile, his presence backstage triggered a negative response from the predominantly royal family and British culture enthusiasts in the audience.
They expressed outrage, labeling him ungrateful, disloyal to the royal family and the British populace, and accused him of betraying Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William.
The crowd’s reaction left Harry shocked and wounded, prompting him to try and focus on Meghan’s speech despite the resistance and mockery directed at him.
He attempted to defend himself and his wife, emphasizing his service and accomplishments, but faced further disdain and skepticism.
The audience disputed his claims of being a veteran and philanthropist, asserting that he had forsaken and dishonored the armed forces and veterans.
They also contended that he had no right to associate with the Invictus Games, an event he established in 2014, and should return to the UK with his family.
The escalating confrontation between Harry and the crowd led to a disturbance that caught the attention of security personnel, necessitating their intervention to restore order.
Security guards eventually escorted Harry out of the backstage and the venue due to the disruption he was causing and concerns for safety.
A speechless and indignant Harry was visibly startled by the turn of events as he was reluctantly removed, glaring at the crowd while attempting to protest before being ushered out in an embarrassed state.