Prince Harry's recent quip about being 'Prince of England' has ignited accusations of arrogance and a deliberate slight against his brother, Prince William. The Duke of Sussex made the remark during an appearance on the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast, where host Marler, a former England rugby star and The Traitors TV personality, asked about his profession.
Harry responded: 'Full-time dad. British Army veteran. Prince of England. Duke. But for today, I don't know. What do you want?' He eventually settled on 'Duke,' which is his official title. However, the inclusion of 'Prince of England' has drawn sharp criticism, as no such title exists in the British monarchy. The correct designation is Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A Deliberate Dig at William?
Chris Riches, writing for the source, argues that this was not a slip of the tongue but a calculated move. 'If his brother William is Prince of Wales and Harry is declaring himself the Prince of England, that is not a slip of the tongue. That's a deliberate dig at his brother,' Riches states. The comment also reveals a 'staggeringly poor grasp of reality' and a self-perception as a senior working royal, despite Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
The timing of the podcast, recorded during Harry's UK visit earlier this month to promote the 2027 Birmingham Invictus Games, adds to the controversy. Meghan did not accompany him, reportedly due to safety concerns. The couple were said to be 'furious' about losing state-funded protection, though they did have a private meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Hubris and Self-Perception
Riches draws parallels to Leo Tolstoy's warning that arrogance hinders personal growth, calling Harry's comment a 'hubris alarm bell.' The article notes that Harry, 41, has repeatedly criticized the Royal Family in books and TV interviews since moving to California. 'This comes from the guy who turned his back on the UK in 2020 – as the nation faced a global pandemic – for California, then repeatedly trashed our Royal Family for money in books, on TV and to anyone willing to pay,' Riches writes.
During the podcast, Harry initially introduced himself by his full name: 'Henry Albert Charles David, Duke of Sussex.' The episode was recorded at Kennington Podcast Studios in London. Marler, who poses as a pseudo-psychologist, probed Harry about his identity and role.
Impact on Royal Relationships
The 'Prince of England' comment is seen as further evidence of ongoing tension between Harry and William. Riches suggests that Harry's remark indicates he is 'looking to outrank' his brother, rather than finding peace with their estranged relationship. 'Far from finding peace with his slighted, estranged older sibling – Harry is looking to outrank him!' the article concludes.
The podcast appearance has reignited debate about Harry's status and his relationship with the monarchy. While some may view the comment as a harmless joke, others see it as a revealing glimpse into his mindset. Riches notes that Harry 'hardly boasts a razor-sharp wit' and often struggles on live TV, but even he must have known the potential interpretation of his words.
