Prince Harry has been accused of stealing the spotlight from King Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate on Remembrance Sunday. The Duke of Sussex made a surprise appearance at a Remembrance service in Brackley, Northamptonshire, just hours after senior royals led the nation in tribute at London's Cenotaph.
Despite serving in the Armed Forces for a decade, Harry was absent from the main London ceremony, which is strictly reserved for working members of the Firm. Instead, the Duke opted to attend the local service, a move one royal commentator has slammed as a bid to snatch the limelight away from his estranged family.
Commentator criticises 'alternative royal family'
Speaking on Palace Confidential, Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden said: "This illustrates all the fears I've expressed repeatedly on this programme about this alternative royal family."
Eden added: "People have said to me: 'Why shouldn't Harry be attending the Cenotaph?' He's one of only two members of the Royal Family to have seen active service. The other is Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who's even less desired to be there. People are saying: 'Why should he have to go to his local one? He should be invited to the main one.'"
Quiet attendance praised locally
Prince Harry reportedly made no fuss at the service he attended and gave no prior warning to organisers that he would attend. Instead, he was praised for turning up at the event quietly to pay his respects. Photos and videos show the duke standing among locals to watch the parade and take part in the two-minute silence. He was not joined by his wife, Meghan Markle.
Writing on Facebook about Harry's visit to Brackley, the chairman of Brackley Royal British Legion said: "As Chairman of Brackley Royal British Legion, I wish to thank Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, for attending our Remembrance Sunday Parade today. He made no formal announcement of attending; he didn't request any special treatment."
The chairman added: "He quietly stood on Parade with his medals and paid respect. I personally thanked him for attending."
