We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
A newly-released picture of the Duke of Sussex has sparked a row on social media. Archewell, the organisation launched by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in late 2020, published a new post and photo on December 7, celebrated in the US as National Pearl Harbour Remembrance Day. The brief message read: “In November, ahead of the 81st commemoration of Pearl Harbour Day, The Duke of Sussex visited Pearl Harbour National Memorial in Honolulu – a monument honouring the thousands of servicemembers and civilians affected by the tragedy.
“As part of The Duke’s continued commitment to remembering and honouring military personnel, veterans and families, he toured the sites of the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona alongside Admiral Samuel Paparo (Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet) and Admiral John Aquilino (Commander, U.S Indo Pacific Command), paying his respects with a ceremonial laying of flowers at the reflection pool.”
This was accompanied by a photograph showing Harry in a blue suit and white shirt saluting a wreath positioned out of the shot.
Lined up at his sites are members of the US Military, also saluting the wreath.
A second picture is also included in the post, showing the Duke posing for a picture surrounded by service people and their families.
As explained in the Archewell message, this tribute was carried out days before the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, in November.
The decision to release this picture on Wednesday sparked a lively discussion on Twitter, with a US PR expert and royal watcher, known as @UKRoyalTea on the platform, claiming: “He actually did it. Staged a photo shoot with US military/families to release timed to promote his Netflix show. 
Prince Harry is a veteran (Image: ARCHEWELL)
The Duke of Sussex mentioned his son Archie Harrison in a clip he filmed in March 2020 and featured in the first few minutes of the newly-released Netflix docu-series, titled Harry & Meghan.
He told the camera: “My job is to keep my family safe. But the nature of being born into this position, amid everything else that comes with it and the level of hate being stirred up in the last three years, especially against my wife and my son.”
Read more HERE.
“He could have visited anywhere else on Veteran’s Day, but chose the site that just so happens to have it’s own Remembrance Day right before their premiere date.”
The commentator referred to the debut on Thursday of Harry & Meghan, the much-anticipated Netflix documentary featuring the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The two teasers shared by the US streaming platform ahead of the release of the first three episodes of the docu-series suggest it will include more criticism and allegations against the Royal Family.
The PR expert’s take on the picture was shared by other Twitter users.
One, Hawaii-based @krisinhawaii, wrote: “This image is so confusing. Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies are something that happens here every December 7.
READ MORE: Harry and Meghan are aiming to ‘cause irreparable damage’
Prince Harry is no longer a working member of the Firm (Image: ARCHEWELL)
“Usually survivors, if any, attend and a big deal is made. Is he trying to imply he was a part of the festivities? He was nowhere near Hawaii today. Fundamentally deceptive.”
Another royal watcher, @RNN_RoyalNews, tweeted: “Everything is wrong with this picture. He’s not a prince of America, why is he getting this level of welcome? He’s a PRIVATE CITIZEN.
“I certainly don’t get this type of welcome when I visit Pearl Harbor. Ugh, this is so embarrassing. We need to stop humoring his delusions.”
Other social media users, however, appreciated the Duke’s tribute and the message shared by Archewell.
A fan of the Duke and Duchess, @ZandiSussex, tweeted: “I love the connection Prince H has with his military family.” 
Prince Harry and Meghan’s documentary is to be released today (Image: GETTY)
Twitter user @hasifah23 wrote: “America gained a prince”.
And @missBigKim said: “He may not be a full time working Royal but he is and ALWAYS will be a Prince, the son of the reigning King of England & Princess Diana.
“The only brother of the future King! He didn’t marry into his position he was born into it.”
Finally, US-based royal historian and commentator Marlene Koenig hit back at people claiming the soldiers were saluting the Duke.
She tweeted: “The photo is on the Archewell site. The naval personnel are not saluting Harry. They cannot. He is not military.
“The caption on the photo explains that they were all saluting as a wreath was laid in the reflecting pool.”
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.