Prince Harry has been accused of stealing attention from King Charles, Prince William and Princess Catherine on Remembrance Sunday. The Duke of Sussex stepped out at a Remembrance service in Brackley, a town in Northamptonshire, last Sunday.
His appearance came hours after the royals led the nation in remembrance at The Cenotaph in London, as they do every year. While Harry is a member of the Royal Family and served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, he did not join his family at this London service because it is attended by working royals only.
Commentator Says Harry's Appearance Undermines the 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. 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."
Eden continued: "People are saying: 'Why should he have to go to his local one? He should be invited to the main one.' I think it's awkward. When they were living in California, it was fine. You could say, well, they're overseas. But now they're here and they're courting headlines."
He added: "They're trying to do events and I think it actively undermines the Royal Family, and I think that's a big problem. The fact that these photographs have appeared and Harry turned up seems to be a provocation, and it's a genuine problem for the Royal Family."
Harry Praised for Quiet Attendance
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 continued: "He quietly stood on Parade with his medals and paid respect. I personally thanked him for attending."
