Prince Harry’s recent Instagram post of him surfing in an artificial wave pool has stirred up debate about his eco-friendly credentials.
The Duke of Sussex appeared relaxed and playful in the clip, riding the waves with a backward baseball cap, while Meghan Markle added a fox emoji—her playful nickname for him—alongside Salt-N-Pepa’s classic 1993 track Whatta Man.
The Duchess captioned the video: “We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important message,” as Harry crouched, rose, and clapped in celebration while riding the man-made wave.
Fans Question the Environmental Impact
Despite the lighthearted tone, surfing enthusiasts quickly took aim at the environmental implications.
Critics pointed out that Harry drove miles inland from his coastal Montecito home to an artificial surf school, a facility that consumes substantial energy to create the waves.
“Eco-Warrior Harry, who lives on the Californian coast, drives inland to an artificial surf school that uses vast amounts of energy,” one user wrote.
Others were less subtle in their criticism:
“That’s not surfing, that’s just cruising on a man-made wave machine,” and,
“He’s nowhere near a beach—it’s in Central California!”
Even legendary surfer Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, which uses 15 million gallons of water to generate waves, was referenced in comparisons, as social media users poked fun at the Prince, saying the man-made waves were “nothing short of an amusement ride.”
Social Media Reacts to the Clip
On X, viewers weighed in with both humor and critique. Many highlighted the difference between ocean surfing and man-made waves:
“You can think you’re surfing, but until you get out there in the real ocean and eat some sand… forget it,” one user wrote.
Another quipped that Harry looked like a beginner, unable to balance or stand confidently, while others suggested the moment would be more newsworthy if he were tackling real waves along Big Sur.
Meghan Markle’s Brand Strategy Also Under Scrutiny
The surfing post comes amid ongoing attention to Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Experts have questioned whether reposting mid-tier influencers on Instagram dilutes the brand’s positioning.
UK-based brand consultant Chad Teixeira told the Daily Mail that while the brand has strong fundamentals, leaning too heavily on reposted content risks making the rollout feel reactive and unoriginal, and may alienate its customer base.
The Sussexes’ Netflix Projects Continue
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are busy with their entertainment ventures.
Their new multi-year, first-look deal with Netflix will include the second season of With Love, Meghan, a December Christmas special, and documentaries like Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within exploring the HIV/AIDS crisis in Uganda.
Other upcoming projects reportedly include an adaptation of the romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake, and potentially a documentary about Princess Diana to mark the 30th anniversary of her death.
Netflix executive Bela Bajaria praised the couple as influential voices with stories that resonate globally.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
While fans continue to engage with their content—products from As Ever sell out rapidly—critics remain vocal online, questioning both environmental choices and brand strategies.
Harry and Meghan have declined to comment on reports regarding the Princess Diana documentary.
