Prince Harry faced a stunning backlash at the Envision 2025 summit in China, where his keynote speech on sustainable travel fell flat, leaving the audience more focused on their phones than his message. What was meant to be a triumphant return as a global voice for change quickly devolved into an embarrassing spectacle, with attendees reportedly scrolling through social media instead of applauding the Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as “awkward silence,” with one delegate calling it the most uncomfortable moment at a global event they had ever experienced.
Harry’s speech, intended to reignite his relevance in front of world leaders and influencers, was riddled with vague platitudes and buzzwords that failed to resonate. While other speakers captivated the audience with sharp, focused insights, Harry’s address was labeled “hollow” and “directionless.” Critics noted that he veered into self-promotion of his Archwell Foundation instead of providing actionable insights or compelling anecdotes, leading to a disheartening lack of engagement from attendees.
As if that weren’t enough, Harry’s ongoing legal troubles compounded the embarrassment, with a court dismissing his phone-hacking claims against the Sun for being too late. The fallout from this summit signals a troubling decline for the once-revered royal, as it underscores his struggle to maintain influence in a rapidly changing world. As the event concluded without applause or interest, it became painfully clear: Prince Harry’s attempts at leadership are losing traction, and the world is no longer listening.