Prince Harry is set to land in the UK within hours, but the prospect of a happy reunion with his father, King Charles, appears remote as a bitter public row over security and accommodation escalates. The Duke of Sussex has claimed he is the victim of an "old fashioned establishment stitch up" and that "dark forces" are preventing the King from having a relationship with his grandchildren. However, critics point to his own behaviour as the root cause of the estrangement.
Never Complain, Never Explain: A Lost Mantra
The late Queen Elizabeth II's guiding principle of "never complain, never explain" seems a distant memory as rival camps trade blows in a pathetic public battle. Harry's decision to quit royal duties and move to the US in 2020 has led to a series of grievances, including a legal fight for taxpayer-funded security. The announcement days ago that he would bring his wife Meghan and their children to the UK, despite no guarantees of security or acceptance of an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace, has baffled many.
Security Row and Accommodation Snub
Harry's team has vociferously argued that the Palace has not outlined the true cause of refusing the King's son accommodation. Multiple excuses, from a late RSVP to staffing levels and an upcoming court judgement on Tuesday, have drawn the Palace into a ridiculous public row. As a result, Harry faces the very real prospect of finding a hotel for the night on the morning of his trip. This comes despite his stated desire to highlight the work of the Invictus Games and his other charities.
Impact on Charitable Work
The Duke of Sussex is supposed to be showcasing the incredible work of the Invictus Games and other charities that he has dedicated much of his former life as a royal and soldier to. However, the security dispute has overshadowed these efforts. No one is talking about the Invictus Games now. Following such a lack of trust between Harry and his family, this might be the last time we see the Duke set foot in the country he left behind.
