A royal commentator compares Prince Harry and Brooklyn Beckham, saying both men are trying to reclaim control from famous families
The Duke of Sussex and Brooklyn Beckham may come from very different worlds, but a royal expert believes their stories share a key theme. Both men, she says, have grown up under intense public pressure and are now choosing to live life on their own terms.
Royal commentator Afua Acheampong-Hagan told the Mirror that each comes from a powerful family focused on protecting its public image. In her view, both sons have reached a point where they no longer want to follow the script written for them. They have married women they love, decided to speak openly, and stopped keeping family matters behind closed doors. By doing so, she argues, they have pulled back what she called the “gilded curtain” and are not afraid of the consequences.
The expert also linked their actions to struggles with confidence and identity. She suggested that years of being managed and scrutinised can leave people feeling powerless, creating a strong desire to take control later in life.
Counsellor Georgina Sturmer explained how growing up in the public eye can affect mental wellbeing. She said constant exposure, where appearances and movements are recorded and shared worldwide, can make a person feel anxious and vulnerable. This is especially true when they have little say in how their story is told, which often happens to those born into fame.
Together, these views paint a picture of two men who feel their lives have always been on display and are now choosing openness over silence, even if it upsets long-standing family expectations.
