The Chameleon Prince

Yet more revelations from Prince Harry. In his book ‘Spare’ he shares with his adoring public eye-watering family secrets, such as his objection to his Father’s marriage to Camilla; how he was encouraged by his brother and Catherine and to wear a Nazi uniform at a fancy dress party; how he was physically assaulted by his brother; and how the Royal Family use the media to vilify poor Prince Harry and Megan Markle. It behoves the reader and Netflix viewer to be cautious in taking all these allegations as truthful; we have no corroborative evidence to support Prince Harry’s claims.

Consider for a moment the first charge. Prince Harry was 20 when he donned his Nazi uniform. Was he so naive not to realise many people would find this offensive; was he so easily influenced by his elder brother that he would do silly things, like a little boy who is told to throw stones at windows? Harry subsequently confessed sporting a swastika was one of the biggest mistakes of his life. He met with the then Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Lord Rabbi Sacks, and was made to realise his behaviour was distasteful and deeply hurtful to those who suffered during the Holocaust. Another influential rabbi, Dr Jonathan Romain, commented Harry apologised for his indiscretion and that was good enough. Did Harry tell Lord Sacks that he was misled by his older brother? I think not, so why the disclosure now? To cause embarrassment to the Royal Family. It seems Prince Harry and his wife are on a mission to inflict pain on those whom they believe have treated them unfairly. The public have no way of knowing what is true and what is false. Royals, generally, do not comment on personal matters, perhaps something Harry and Megan would do well to emulate. But, of course, silence does not sell books, and the couple have made a fabulous amount of money by going public and, no doubt, will be looking at other avenues to explore to add to their fortune. What is mystifying is how Prince Harry can on the one hand state he wants his Father and brother back in his life, while on the other hand wounding them at every opportunity. Mixed messages!

King Charles has been placed in an awful predicament. He, like the majority of fathers, loves his son and would dearly like to be reconciled with Harry. He has sent an invitation to the Coronation but whether Harry and Megan will attend is doubtful. In many ways it would be unseemly for the couple to attend having made such personally hurtful comments, and I suspect the British public would prefer them to stay away. There is a growing demand for the King to remove their royal title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I think Charles would be reluctant to do so; but if Harry continues to play the victim, accusing the Royal Family of a vendetta against him and his wife, then Charles’ hand may be forced. What is ironic about this whole drama is the claim Harry and Megan made about living their lives on their own terms; being free of the incestuous and claustrophobic royal institution that Megan Markle called ‘The Firm’ ; not having to deal with the media. Does this couple ever question where they are at? They are either unaware of the contradictions in their lives or very smart in using the media to make megabucks no matter what the fall out.