Alexander Larman

Why Harry has been allowed to wear his military uniform

(Photo: Getty)

P.G. Wodehouse once wrote that ‘it is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.’ Much the same might be said of Prince Harry, whose ability to bear grudges – and to make it clear, publicly, why he is doing so – has been displayed with remarkable consistency over the past couple of years. When he isn’t suing the British government for not allowing him to bring his own private security to the country of his birth, he’s railing against the iniquities of his family to Oprah Winfrey or giving angry public speeches in which he denounces whatever ills he has found in society. These, admittedly, usually come as more of a surprise to him than the rest of the world, who have not enjoyed quite so cossetted an upbringing.

Yet in the wake of his grandmother’s death, the Duke of Sussex – and, of course, his ever-present, endlessly controversial wife – have behaved themselves, understanding that the soap opera that they are the central characters in has come to a temporary halt, and that they are instead supporting players in an altogether greater drama.

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.

Already a subscriber? Log in