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We are only to be permitted the briefest of respites from the great self-centred moanfest before it resumes in the New Year. Within days of the Christmas decorations coming down, another major money-spinning “media event” involving the Sussexes will take place: the global launch, no less, of “Spare”, Prince Harry’s autobiography.
On January 10 we shall learn afresh what Harry thinks of his life to date. And when it comes to his father, his brother and perhaps other senior royals too, Spare is expected to be unsparing.
Perhaps when that book is published and the tittle-tattle and one-sided accounts within it have been dissected, this artillery barrage of bile will be brought to an end, you might think?
Well, think again. Because next August a book will be released by Omid Scobie, a powerful journalist close to the Sussex couple, entitled “Endgame”. This book, according to its pre-publication hype, will take advantage of the author’s “deep access” to deliver “exclusive revelations” and “pull back the curtain on an institution in turmoil: exposing the chaos, family dysfunction, distrust and draconian practices threatening its very future”.
What is unfolding is a remorseless long-term assault on the monarchy and should be treated as such. Whether it is deliberately designed to push Britain towards republicanism or whether such an outcome would merely be regarded by its participants as an unlamented side effect hardly makes a difference.
It is time the powers-that-be in Buckingham Palace joined the dots, dating from the interview given by Meghan, with a fleeting appearance by Harry, to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 that alleged racism among the royals had led to her being badly treated.
At the time of that attack, the Duke of Edinburgh was desperately ill in hospital and the Queen must have been beside herself with sadness and anxiety. A week later he went home to Windsor to die.
Harry and Meghan’s attacks on the Royal Family are set to continue (Image: Duke and Duchess of Sussex/Netflix/PA)
When Harry angrily blames a newspaper – not this one – for bringing about Meghan’s miscarriage in 2020 via its hostile coverage, his apparent failure to appreciate the impact the Sussexes’ own public hostility may have had upon the Royal Family’s most distinguished members is hard to accept.
Or perhaps he did and does realise it but simply didn’t and doesn’t care – which would imply a degree of selfishness that would be hard to forgive for many of us, let alone for the senior royals.
Harry’s claim that Charles told the Queen untruths about him and his inference that William bullied him and Meghan out of the family are yet more allegations that could easily be filed under the late Queen’s gentle observation that “recollections may vary”.
They are certainly perceived injustices that would better be talked through in private.
Meanwhile, his implication that while he married for love, his brother married someone to “fit the mould” is unchivalrous and stupendously arrogant.
The King, the Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales have so far shown phenomenal powers of self-control to let these barbs go unanswered.
The sole time William responded, by declaring “we are very much not a racist family” after Meghan’s 2021 claims, came in direct response to a journalist’s impromptu question during a public engagement. Otherwise, they have all held their fire and have clearly instructed their retinues to do likewise.
Such restraint is admirable, noble even. But it does not amount to a long-term plan to defend the institution of the monarchy against repeated attacks.
The unavoidable truth is that assaults on it by those currently bearing the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a longer shelf-life and make more waves than they would were they advanced by two commoner ex-royals.
It is not just in the interest of those in the line of succession to defend the institution of the monarchy. It is central to the very constitutional stability of the UK. And goodness knows stability is in short enough supply in Britain right now.
Given the path they have chosen, Harry and Meghan should be happy to relinquish their titles. If they are not then those titles must be taken away.
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