‘Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so.’ Back in 2017, when Meghan Markle was ‘girlfriend’ and not yet ‘Duchess of Sussex,’ Prince Harry was already expressing doubts about his future role. In a lengthy interview with US magazine Newsweek Harry explained, ‘I sometimes still feel I am living in a goldfish bowl,’ and described longing to be ‘something other than Prince Harry.’
Since the announcement of their resignation from the royal firm, much attention has focused on Meghan. To some (well, perhaps just Eamonn Holmes) she’s ‘weak, manipulative and spoilt’. To others, she’s the perfect role model for young women everywhere. Meghan may be villain or victim but Harry is rarely portrayed as anything other than her puppet. Either he’s being manipulated into making sure ‘what Meghan wants, Meghan gets,’ or he’s bravely suffering on her behalf. In reality, as his 2017 interview shows, Harry’s scepticism about his royal role is nothing new.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in