Royal biographer Angela Levin has criticised Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over the Duke of Sussex's new MasterClass, accusing the couple of attempting to curry favour with the British public to secure funded protection.
Harry's MasterClass on grief
Ms Levin's comments came in response to Harry's MasterClass titled 'Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss,' in which he discussed his mental health. Among the admissions, the father of two revealed he had slipped into a two-week depression after travelling to Canada with Meghan and their son, Archie, in 2019.
Harry also spoke about balancing work and family life, saying: "The biggest factor for me is the energy and the joy and happiness that I get being with my family, especially our kids, and the joy and happiness I get by being on the ground for my work." He added: "The key to finding the joy and happiness balance is no more than 10 days away from my wife and kids."
Timing questioned
Speaking on TalkTV with Jeremy Kyle, Ms Levin suggested it was no coincidence that the MasterClass release coincided with publication of photos of Meghan meeting education activist Malala Yousafzai in London. Mr Kyle agreed, noting: "Because yesterday she paraded her campaigning friend in an expensive outfit in the construed photographs, and there's him saying, 'I'm depressed.' There's always an ulterior motive. People don't buy it. There's no authenticity with those two, is there?"
Mr Kyle also pointed out that Harry's depression was not mentioned in his memoir 'Spare' or in his interview with Oprah Winfrey, adding: "It's just now, presumably, when they're trying to curry favour with the British public."
'Just give me the money'
Ms Levin responded: "Yes, but I think they also want to get money. You see, he wants to show that here in England, he's so happy, he's smiling, he's got his wife, everything's wonderful. Just give me the money, so I have protection."
She continued: "That's what it is. If he were anywhere else, you would see him in lots of things where he's fun with young kids, and he enjoys all sorts of things and laughter. He can be funny, and can enjoy laughter, and be very kind to people who've been wounded. I mean, I've seen all that. But he can't pretend that we don't know that he's trying to get more money."
Ms Levin also reacted to the MasterClass on Twitter, writing: "Harry wants to show happy now he is in the UK, but he feels he must also let us know he 'slipped into depression after moving to Canada with Meghan and Archie.' That was years away. He chose to go. I don't think he needs to tell us all about himself. He just wants us to see him smiling. Phoney."
