Prince Harry has faced significant backlash following his recent appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. During the segment, the Duke of Sussex recreated a viral moment from *The Great British Bake Off*, which featured hosts Alison Hammond and Mark Lutton. In the original clip, Hammond mistakenly interpreted Lutton’s request to “bake” as a plea to “beg,” a humorous misunderstanding that took social media by storm in 2024.
The backlash escalated when Australian television host Rita Panahi criticized Harry’s performance on *Sky News Australia*. She labeled him a “thirsty attention seeker,” expressing her discontent with his attempt to inject humor into the situation. Panahi stated, “We’ve had a few days to digest the latest episode of Prince Harry embarrassing his family, possibly embarrassing the entire country with his thirsty, attention-seeking.”
Critics Voice Disappointment
As the segment aired, Panahi questioned whether Harry was genuinely attempting comedy with his reenactment. To further discuss the matter, she invited author Douglas Murray onto the program. Murray did not hold back in his critique, admitting he experienced “deep, cringing embarrassment” while watching the clip.
“I never want to see it again,” he remarked, describing the whole experience as “excruciating.” Murray went on to emphasize that Harry’s attempts at humor do not seem to align with any clear professional role. “It’s not clear what Harry’s day job is,” he stated. He expressed concern that Harry’s actions are undermining the mystique and power of the monarchy.
Murray added, “What a terrible way to spend your life. He’s clearly looking for a purpose.” He suggested that had Harry fulfilled his royal duties, he could have been engaging with the public and raising funds for charitable causes, instead of appearing on late-night television shows.
Mixed Reactions to Harry’s Performance
While many criticized Harry’s approach, not everyone was dismissive. Alison Hammond, one of the original figures from the viral clip, praised Harry’s handling of the moment. She said, “Harry was so good as well.” Following the airing of the clip on *This Morning*, Mark Lutton joined Hammond via video link, expressing his surprise at the segment’s popularity.
“I initially thought, to be honest, that it was an AI clip,” Lutton stated, reflecting on the unexpected attention the moment received. He noted that numerous people had reached out to share the clip with him, viewing it as a nostalgic flashback to his time on *Bake Off*. Lutton also acknowledged the humorous nature of the incident, commenting, “I genuinely couldn’t hear what you were saying! It was your accent which was throwing me off.”
As the discussion surrounding Harry’s television appearance continues, the mixed responses highlight a growing divide in public perception of the Duke. Many feel his recent actions are diminishing his royal legacy, while others see a light-hearted attempt to connect with audiences. The ongoing dialogue shows that opinions on royal behavior and public appearances remain as varied as the personalities involved.
