Can there ever be a more clear demonstration of the difference between the approaches of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her errant grandson, Prince Harry ?
While the almost 95-year old Queen took to the airwaves yesterday to offer encouragement to those who are nervous about accepting a vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, Prince Harry has been seen giving an interview to some US chat show host while riding around Los Angeles on an open topped bus. The entire purpose of the interview seems to have been to offer a defence of his decision to exile himself from both the United Kingdom and his former Royal responsibilities.
The Queen referred to the spirit of co-operation that remains an essential part of the attitude of those who experienced the nightmare reality of World War 2; Harry talked about the media hounding him and the effect this supposedly had on his 'mental health'. In other words, while Her Majesty talked of the wider world, Harry talked about himself and bemoaned his own fate.
Anyone who truly believes that being a subject of intrusive press stories can be compared with the horrors of brutal warfare needs to think again. Being subjected to nightly bombing, doodlebugs and V2 rocket attacks, as were the populations of London and numerous other British cities must have been utterly terrifying; somehow, those who avoided being blown apart, including the Queen herself, survived without needing to claim that they needed 'mental health support'. Basically, they got on with things, helped their neighbours or were helped by them, played their parts and rebuilt their lives. Yes, Harry has experienced warfare with the British army but his experiences were of his own choosing and not those endured by the helpless civilian victims of enemy bombing.
If Harry didn't like what was being written or said about him, he and his wife could have closed their assorted social media accounts and toughened up. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never harm me", should have been their motto. Instead, they chose to run off to his wife's former celebrity life in a misguided belief that this would safeguard them and they could then carry on much as before but also make oodles of cash on the side. How wrong they were; the money will flow in and they'll be US style celebrities but the kudos of being major players within the Royal Family has gone.
For Harry now to keep in the media spotlight, he will have to continue to appear on American chat shows and in other US media, something which will bring its own risks of insults, abuse and approbation. Instead of appearing in full regalia in controlled events, he will have to rely on the generosity of hosts of all sorts. As for his wife, she is now in her element, an "A-list" US celebrity but for how long ? Once the furore over their recent changes of position dies down, what will the future hold for Harry, whose previous status far exceeded that of any grade of mere 'celebrity' ? Once the shine goes and interest wanes, what next ?
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