Hero Harry?

Is the Duke of Sussex’s Military Image Now Closer to Myth than Reality?

I have been thinking about Harry’s appearance at the Warrior Games in Texas this past weekend. Yet again, I’m torn about Harry’s relationship with veterans charities and organisations. I think it’s an incredibly worthwhile cause and I have no doubt that it began as true passion for Harry. I now, however, cannot shake the impression that Harry is now using it more for his own publicity than actually contributing or doing anything to actually help veterans.

I mean, what was the purpose of this Warrior Games appearance? To serve a few meals (how long do we think he was there - ten minutes?)? Watch a few minutes of the competition? Or to get lots of nice pictures of himself and provide People magazine with a headline to prove that Harry wasn’t bothered that his family was all over the news at Trooping the Colour? Meghan, in case you were wondering, was a hosting a games night at home in California! Such an unbothered, purposeful couple (insert heavy sarcasm here) - methinks that the Duke and Duchess protest too much. If you have to tell the world how unbothered and happy you are, I am inclined to believe that the opposite is usually true.

The Texas trip also provided Harry with another photo opportunity - to attend the NBA Championship game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. Apparently the NBA Commissioner heard that Harry was in town and invited him to the game out of the blue (if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you). It all just muddies the waters yet again. This was clearly intended as pr trip for Harry because it served no real purpose other than to give Harry yet another chance to pose with veterans and pull ridiculous faces to prove that he’s the “fun, loveable, relaxed, cheeky” prince. The reality is that that particular act now feels more sad, irritating and an attempt to cling to past glories than the charming and endearing persona it once was.

And again, it all left me with a very sour taste in my mouth about Harry’s positioning of himself alongside veterans. I was going to write a whole new piece but remembered that I actually did that at the end of last year. So please enjoy the following for more in depth thoughts on this particular issue…

There has been a lot of attention on Harry and Meghan’s attendance at the Kris Jenner party last week and the ensuing drama and believe me, I have thoughts on that too that I will be sharing with you. But in my mind, a greater issue has emerged - Prince Harry’s now problematic (in my opinion) relationship with military and veteran’s causes. This has been a difficult newsletter to write because I am conflicted and it’s a difficult and emotive subject. But when Harry is photographed clearly either drunk or high at a Kardashian party with a poppy worn proudly on his chest - the time to talk about this has come.

First, a little context on why I feel so conflicted about this. You may find this hard to believe but I used to be a huge fan of Prince Harry. He was actually my favourite royal! At the time, I thought he was doing some incredible things with Invictus and with his other work for veterans. I genuinely thought “wow, this guy is on a path to being someone really amazing and doing great things”. However, in the past few years something has definitely shifted.

It now feels like military causes have become little more than a self serving prop for Harry’s ailing popularity and no longer the true passion to do good that they once were. The genuine feeling has gone, replaced with a superficial Hollywood veneer. It feels like “Military Harry” (now all I can think of is beach Ken from the Barbie movie but with Harry’s face saying “my job is Army!”. 😂) is now a brand rather than a person with a genuine passion. All of which makes me incredibly sad and more than a little angry.

I want to make it clear that I have tremendous respect for veterans. It is an area that is incredibly close to my heart. I have seen first hand the effects that military service can have on a veteran and their family. I would never minimise Harry’s or any other veterans service.

Military service is a sacrifice that deserves immense respect, appreciation and admiration (and that’s ALL military service - not just overseas deployments). What it should never be is a shield used to protect you from criticism. Or a crutch for your failing reputation. It is not a “get out of jail free card” for bad behaviour. And where it really crosses the line for me - other veterans and their sacrifices should never, ever be used to further your own goals and ambitions and for your financial gain. Especially with minimal effort and output on your part. And sadly, this is where I feel we have arrived at with Harry.

I don’t write this lightly or without multiple examples of this behaviour from him. Here are just a few of the most glaring examples from the past few years…