In the annals of recent royal history, few narratives have unfolded with as much drama and tumult as the saga of Prince Harry’s departure from Britain. We (Americans) now find our country the official domicile of an entitled and disgruntled British Prince. Harry filed documents last week to say so. I’m already hearing rapturous cries from our British friends: ‘He’s yours now and good riddance.’ We already have Joe Biden flinging open our border to the masses. Now, to add insult to injury, we have a guy who has made unwelcome intrusions into our domestic politics, and seems to be having trouble with his visa application.
So, fine. Britain has had enough of its unhappy former golden boy. But here in America, we are not far behind in our feelings.
The Duke’s recent change of primary residence from the UK to the US, backdated to 29 June, 2023, (the Sussexes’ departure date from Frogmore Cottage) marks not only a physical relocation but a symbolic break from his family, nation, and heritage – none of which seems to preoccupy him. His decision, driven by purported safety concerns, seems more likely to be fuelled by anger, frustration and shame to the point where the Duke has even considered adopting American citizenship. It is astonishing that a prince of the blood would even flirt with accepting foreign citizenship, but Harry is an outlier in so many senses.
His abandonment of royal duties and flight across the Atlantic represent not only a rupture in the fabric of the Royal Family, but it leaves a void in a threadbare bench of working royals sadly challenged by illness. So too, it lets down a nation that could make use of his service, were that service deemed fit for purpose. Once regarded as a beloved member of the royal family, Harry’s gradual estrangement from his homeland has naturally put off many Britons. Reactions across traditional and social media hardly conceal support for marginalisation of the disruptive and distracting Sussexes from Britain.
The Prince’s actions defy belief. On the one hand he claims to love his family, but in his autobiography, Spare, he savages them mercilessly. He stood by while his wife accused his family of racism. He exposed private information, and through publication of his memoir even disrespected his beloved grandparents. How can the Duke ever be forgiven considering his actions look like an appalling breach of trust? He must never be allowed to do so again. Now firmly ensconced in the USA alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry assured the broadcast Good Morning America he was ‘loving every single day’ in the US. But this sentiment does not flow automatically the other way.
While American gossip tabloid audiences follow every new Sussex branding scheme with bated breath, many of us view their exploits with eyerolling disdain. Their penchant for creating distraction, chaos and controversy wherever they go is intolerable. Nor does America need yet another coin-operated B-list celebrity wading into politics. No wonder the couple have become the butt of jokes – from cartoons to comedians – for it is risible – no, preposterous – for lifestyle brand influencers and unsettled foreign princes to inveigh on election misinformation, paid family leave, or America’s free speech protections. Allegations surrounding the disclosure of illegal substance use in the Duke’s autobiography have triggered an investigation into the handling of his US visa, raising questions about both Harry’s handling of the application and the Biden administration’s review of his case.
So, fine. Britain has had enough of its unhappy former golden boy. But here in America, we are not far behind in our feelings. We share the same revulsion when someone appears to sell out one’s family for profit. Moreover, in America, hard work and talent are prized commodities. If the Sussexes’ Hollywood experience is any indication, they are sorely lacking in both of these qualities. The suggestion that they are ‘talentless grifters’ will stick with the pair forever. Now having bit too many times the hand that fed them, Harry and Meghan find themselves casting about for relevance and purpose… selling jam but without Jerusalem.
As Prince Harry newly affirms the USA as his place of residence, many Brits are rejoicing. Ever-more Americans are less cheerful. The common sense of Nigel Farage springs to mind. After Harry’s 2021 assault on the US Constitution’s commitment to free speech, he tweeted: ‘For Prince Harry to condemn the USA’ First Amendment shows he has lost the plot. Soon he will not be wanted on either side of the pond.’ And here we are.
