Prince Harry's latest project, a MasterClass on grief, has prompted a columnist to question whether the emotionally expressive prince we see today is the real man, or a manipulated version of the soldier who served in Afghanistan.
The opinion piece, written by Paul Baldwin, criticises Harry's frequent public discussions of his emotional state, including his recent admission of feeling "emotional numbness and shutdown." Baldwin contrasts this with the prince's military service, suggesting the only time Harry's voice seems authentic is when he discusses the Army and Afghanistan.
A Lucrative Royal Grief
Baldwin notes that Harry's grief-sharing has become a significant revenue stream for him and Meghan Markle, despite Harry's professed hatred of his royal status. The MasterClass interview, conducted with neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, is just one of several ventures, including a tell-all book, Netflix series, and other online projects.
The piece highlights a lack of transparency regarding how much of the proceeds from these ventures go to charity, with suggestions that some funds may benefit Harry's favoured charities, Scotty's Little Soldiers and Comfort Zone Camp.
A Manipulated Prince?
Baldwin argues that the touchy-feely, emotionally over-sharing Harry is not the real prince but a "manipulated" one, pushed into the arms of controlling people after leaving royal life. He points to Harry's book Spare, where only the sections about his military service feel genuine.
The columnist concludes by expressing hope that the real Harry will one day emerge, stating, "He should have stayed in the military for my money. Maybe one day we will see the real Harry. I hope so, he deserves that much."
