In the past week, it’s been refreshing to see Prince Harry step into the limelight alone, without Meghan Markle by his side.

But make no mistake – this is a deliberate strategy. The message is clear: Fall in love with Harry again, and in time, the public might just accept Meghan too.

Harry has been busy. This week, during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, he made the rounds in New York, lending his voice to notable causes.

He joined a panel at the Clinton Global Initiative, highlighting the challenges of the digital landscape while paying homage to his late mother, Princess Diana, through discussions related to the Diana Award.

He capped off the visit with a playful appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’, bravely facing a haunted maze alongside the comedian host.

Seeing Prince Harry fly solo has lent a certain ‘royal touch’ to his engagements, a reminder of the weight that his background carries.

The truth is, Harry still holds significant clout – something that perhaps stands in contrast when he appears alongside Meghan.

His solo appearances subtly suggest that without the baggage of controversy, Harry’s presence alone is enough to command attention and admiration.

In another notable move, Harry returned to London this weekend for the WellChild Awards tomorrow — again without Meghan.

With the King and Queen in Scotland, there was no planned meeting between father and son, reinforcing the message that this was a visit about what Harry holds dear – duty and philanthropy.

The WellChild Awards provided a touching reminder of Harry’s longstanding dedication to causes close to his heart, a side of him the British public once adored, and perhaps still do and could in greater numbers once more.

But even this brief visit is not without tension. Harry’s team banned WellChild from publicising the event’s location, citing security concerns.

This secrecy serves as a stark reminder of the Duke’s ongoing battles regarding safety in the UK – highlighting how complicated his position has become, even for a visit aimed purely at charity.

Next month, Harry will continue his solo trek, travelling to South Africa for his charity, Sentebale.

The trip marks his first visit to the region in five years, a return that’s likely to emphasise his long-term commitment to the causes he’s championed since his youth. Again, Meghan will not be accompanying him.

So, why this sudden surge of independent appearances? Quite simply, I see it as a strategic pivot.

Prince Harry is reminding the world why they fell in love with him in the first place.

Despite the whirlwind of controversies and public missteps, the affection many feel for Harry – rooted in the memory of the young boy who walked behind his mother’s coffin, and the royal who spent years working for wounded veterans – remains.

This solo charm offensive aims to rekindle that affection, with the hope that, eventually, it will extend to Meghan by association.

The approach seems to be working. Harry’s appearances have so far been met with positive attention.

The message is being reinforced: Harry, alone, is still a prince of the people.

I feel this strategy is to channel the global goodwill towards Harry, to gradually soften the public stance towards Meghan.

I can’t imagine the Duchess being very happy about it. But her taking a step back now for the greater good may prove fruitful for them in the long-run.

Whether this plan will succeed remains to be seen. The royal brand, and by extension the Sussex brand, rests on Harry’s ability to reconnect with a world that once embraced him without question.

But for now, as Harry makes these solo strides, there is a glimmer of hope for the couple that a little space – both literally and symbolically – might just help heal public perceptions.