Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, known for his lavish lifestyle in California since stepping back from his royal duties, finds himself in hot water after posing for a selfie with a notorious fake prince.

The incident took place at a glitzy event in Los Angeles, where Harry attended the Living Legends of Aviation Awards bash hosted by John Travolta.

In the selfie, Harry can be seen smiling alongside Mario Max Schoenberg-Lipp, a German reality TV star who claims to be a prince but is actually an imposter.

This selfie, posted on Mario Max’s Instagram account, has ignited outrage and ridicule from royal watchers and insiders, who accuse Harry of being naive and disrespectful.

Among the most vocal critics of Harry’s selfie is Prince Alexander of Schoenberg-Lipp, the head of the German noble house and a distant relative of Harry’s.

Prince Alexander, who is also a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, expressed his disappointment to MailOnline, stating that Harry should have considered his family and dignity before associating with Mario Max.

He described Mario Max as a zealous German fake prince who has been exploiting their name for fame.

Prince Alexander emphasized that Harry should have been more cautious in choosing the people he surrounds himself with and expressed hope that Harry would exercise greater caution in the future, always keeping in mind the dignity of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who ascended to the throne in 2023 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, have had a strained relationship not only with the new monarchs but also with the rest of the royal family since their decision to step back from their senior roles and relocate to the US in 2020.

The couple signed a lucrative deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, films, and shows, leading to accusations of capitalizing on their royal status and exploiting their family for personal gain.

Additionally, their public airing of grievances and accusations against the royal family in interviews and projects like the Oprah Winfrey interview and the controversial docuseries The Me You Can’t See has drawn criticism.

Harry and Meghan have been striving to establish themselves as independent and influential content creators but have faced challenges in maintaining their popularity and relevance, particularly in the UK, where they have faced widespread rejection.

Their Netflix projects have been met with delays, negative reviews, and even boycotts, with critics and viewers finding them self-indulgent, hypocritical, and out of touch.

Their attempts to portray themselves as victims and champions of various causes have been met with skepticism and backlash due to perceived inconsistencies and contradictions in their claims and actions.

Harry’s selfie with Mario Max, who earned the nickname “the King of Trash TV” after appearing on reality shows like Big Brother and Celebrity Shopping Queen in Germany and the US, further exemplifies Harry’s poor judgment and disregard for his family and heritage.

Mario Max, adopted into the Schomburg Lip family at the age of 24 and subsequently adopting the title of Prince, has been exposed as a fraud and fame-seeker with no legitimate claim to royalty or nobility.

He has been involved in numerous scandals, including fabricating a relationship with a Playboy model, suing a German magazine for defamation, and facing allegations of s**ual harassment from a former co-star.

Royal experts and commentators have strongly criticized Harry for his selfie with Mario Max, deeming it a tacky and embarrassing move that reflects his significant fall from grace as a respected and admired royal.

They argue that Harry should not associate himself with individuals like Mario Max, who have gained notoriety through reality TV shows, and instead focus on his family and responsibilities.

Furthermore, they assert that Harry’s selfie is a disrespectful gesture towards his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who always valued and upheld the dignity and integrity of the monarchy.

This selfie scandal involving Harry has not only angered a German royal and embarrassed his family but has also contributed to the erosion of his appeal and charm in the eyes of the public.

He has been accused of being naive, disrespectful, and associating with a notorious fake prince who has no connection to royalty or nobility.

Through this incident, Harry has demonstrated a lack of awareness and care for his family, further fueling criticism surrounding his actions.