Prince Harry, in all his glory, graced the Invictus Games, exuding a sense of invincibility as he participated in a video call—minus Meghan Markle. The narrative here is tantalizing for outlets like CNN and NBC, who love to spin the royal family drama into a soap opera. They practically salivate over the “troubled prince” trope, feeding their viewers a steady diet of sensationalism. Meanwhile, the absence of Meghan is a calculation worth noting. Is the media subtly pushing the narrative that Harry is better off without her? You bet.

On the other end, Fox News takes a different angle, often portraying Harry as a wayward son rebelling against the “establishment.” They seem to relish the tension, framing his actions as a man breaking free from royal shackles. Yet, they too fall into the trap of sensationalism by playing up headlines like “Harry’s Solo Spotlight,” rather than delving into why he feels the need to separate from his wife in high-profile settings.

Both sides fail to ask the critical questions: What does this say about the state of their marriage? And why should we care when they are clearly a distraction from more pressing issues?

In the end, whether it’s CNN’s dramatics or Fox’s rebellious narrative, they unite in their ability to twist a feel-good charitable event into their own ratings-boosting soap opera, sidelining the real significance of the Invictus Games. The dynamics are a cat-and-mouse game, and we’re left to sift through this royal charade while the media profits from our obsession.