Harry's battle royal: the contradictory prince loses it
A thirty-minute TV chat saw an emotional Duke of Sussex close to tears as he lobbed accusations followed by reconciliation pleas
Cards on the table. We have always been fond of Harry. In his heyday, he was the People’s Prince, the seemingly easy-going royal with an effortless common touch just like his beloved mum Diana. But after Friday’s shocking BBC interview he looks totally out of touch with reality.
What does he think his latest “truth” bombs and accusations of an “establishment stitch-up” will achieve, then in the next breath claiming he wants a reconciliation with a father who is no longer taking his calls. “I don’t know how much longer my father has - he won’t speak to me because of this security stuff but it would be nice to reconcile.” Oh, Harry. Not this way!
Like millions of others - and his now-estranged family, we all cut him a lot of forgiving slack over the decades. Hopes were massively sky-high for him and Meghan and their promise of royal service to Queen Elizabeth II and the Crown. No need to rake over how that panned out.
Now, last Friday over in California, the Duke launched a blistering, scathing attack on his family and his cancer-stricken dad, moments after he lost a legal battle in London’s Court of Appeal over his UK taxpayer funded security being “downgraded”. It was a staggering and emotional interview with BBC North America correspondent Nada Tawfik. When will Harry learn that royals giving impromptu TV interviews have a terrible track record and dire long-lasting consequences.
Nonetheless, on he ploughed determined to reiterate his security fears for Meghan, Archie, Lilibet and himself, declaring: “I don’t want history to repeat itself.” A chilling reference to his mum’s fatal car crash. Also adding: “I’m sure that some people out there, probably most likely the people that wish me harm, consider this a huge win”. Later, he declared it was now currently “impossible” for him and his family to return to the UK: “It's really quite sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”
Harry also alleged the Royal Household exploited security “to imprison members of the Royal Family”, blocking them “from being able to choose a different life”. In an unprecedented move by a royal, he called upon politicians to intervene in the ruling. A move highly unlikely to help build bridges with his dad.
Poignantly, Harry spoke candidly of the “many disagreements” with his family, some of whom “may never forgive” him for writing Spare. But the “only thing that’s left” is the row over his security - which he said had “always been the sticking point”.
”There is no point in continuing to fight anymore, life is precious,” he added, touched on the health of Charles: “I don't know how much longer my father has - he won't speak to me because of this security stuff but it would be nice to reconcile.”
He continued: “"Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things." Harry went on to say: “It would be nice to have that reconciliation part now. If they don't want that, that’s entirely up to them.”
Frustration has grown toward the duke over the weekend from all quarters. Former press secretary to the late Queen, Alisa Anderson branded his comments about the King's health “unhelpful” amid continued treatment for an unspecified cancer. “What you don’t want to do is have your private life played out in the media. So if you truly want reconciliation, you'll do it in private, not in a BBC News interview.”
Royal commentator and King Charles biographer, Robert Hardman, pointed out that his relatives “feel they can’t trust him”. Harry, he said, needs to stop being a litigant in his father’s courts and “stop airing his family issues in public in TV slanging matches… people get very hurt.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine believes any apology from Harry for his actions in the past will be a long time coming, despite his plea for reconciliation.
She exclusively told the Mirror: “By now Charles is used to Harry’s disloyalty and contradictions. But what he will not be prepared to put up with is his youngest son’s stubborn conviction that he is always right. Harry’s ego is so fragile he thinks the world is against him. He refuses to take responsibility for his actions. If he wants reconciliation, why does he still attack his family?”
Five years on from Megxit, and not much has changed regarding the duke’s contradictory narrative. Since losing his court case, he is now seething with indignant outrage and feelings of betrayal over his perceived “unjustified” and “inferior” treatment by certain important people in his life. Sadly, for Harry, sorry seems to be the hardest word to say if he truly wants a reconciliation.
William and Kate’s loved-up Scottish getaway
Well, before Friday it had been a loved-up news week from Kensington Palace, as Wills and Kate looked like they had a glorious few days in Scotland, over their wedding anniversary.
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a series of beautiful photos and videos of their two-day trip to the Isles of Iona and Mull, which coincided with their 14th wedding anniversary. “Thank you to everyone on the Isles of Iona and Mull for a fantastic two days,” they posted on Instagram. “It’s been a real pleasure meeting so many wonderful people! Fantastic to see the true community spirit here in the Inner Hebrides, and how you protect and champion the natural environment and each other.”
They also posted a beautiful photo of themselves taking in the view, on their wedding anniversary on Tuesday, April 29, writing, “Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull. Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome ❤️ W & C.”
According to reporters, Wills and Kate loved the fact the locals were so laid back – they confided they’d visited the island when they were students 20 years ago and the residents simply smiled and answered, “We know”. According to The Telegraph, they wandered around the island, hand in hand, without much security and the delighted locals treated them as their own, noting they’d, “never looked so happy.”
They also teased a May Day nature film – just writing “coming soon,” about their latest project, which is clearly something Catherine has taken to heart, lately.
Once home, there were more celebrations, as Princess Charlotte hit a milestone birthday. To mark her 10th birthday on Friday, May 2, her parents released a gorgeous photo of her in hiking gear, beaming at the camera. Taken by Catherine, it was snapped in Cumbria earlier this year.
The King’s cancer thank you
Meanwhile, there was more heartfelt action from the King, this week, as he thanked all those who work in the fight against cancer. In a statement on Wednesday, Charles said, “To all the researchers pursuing pioneering breakthroughs; to the healthcare professionals providing specialist treatment; to the volunteers offering comfort, or campaigning to raise awareness; and to the fundraisers enabling all this vital work – you have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude. Your commitment to early diagnosis, evermore successful therapies and truly holistic care represents the very best our country can do. I am so very grateful for all that you do.” Holding a reception at Buckingham Palace, including representatives from patronages Macmillan Cancer Support and Maggie’s centres, he told guests, “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
Some other good news from Charles. The Palace announced that he and Camilla will make a two-day trip to Ottawa for the State Opening of the Parliament of Canada. The couple will be there from the 26-27 May, and will meet victorious Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, whose Liberal Party won Canada’s federal election on Monday.
Sophie plays bingo with Chelsea Pensioners
The Duchess of Edinburgh joined a group of 80 pensioners for three rounds of their weekly bingo night. Tuesday night bingo at the Chelsea Pensioners Club is a popular weekly activity promoting mental well-being, and strengthening a sense of community. London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, was founded by King Charles II in 1682 for ‘old soldiers’ who have served in the British Army. The famous institution is a retirement and nursing home to nearly 300 residents, known as Chelsea Pensioners.
Happy birthday, Archie!
The other red-headed prince celebrates his sixth birthday this Tuesday, a joyful occasion that we hope will take Harry’s mind off last week’s devastating legal defeat. Although, he will be missing some, if not all of the fun in Montecito as the duke is set to travel to Las Vegas to launch a new youth initiative in collaboration with the prestigious Diana Award.
Harry said his family was upset because he wrote 'a book'- that's not dismissive at all.
Why is he incapable of hiring his own security? Is the difference really that great?
As a member of Republic I simply don’t want there to be any Royals and I don’t think that being from a certain womb entitles you to be a special person. I don’t have any substantial feelings toward any of the Royals and the Newspapers falling down in ecstasy all over William and family leaves me cold. As for Harry, a small part of me simply feels sorry for him.