Gransnet forums

News & politics

Sympathy for Harry anyone?

(290 Posts)
TG3465 Mon 06-Jul-26 15:57:53

Is there anyone left who has any sympathy for H&M after the recent pantomime? I’ve been in the ‘against’ camp since the birth of Archie when they deliberately misled the press and public with delayed announcements and made it clear they were doing things their way. Since then….well. I have a close friend who still thinks the sun shines out of Harry’s backside, he’s had a terrible upbringing and life, he should get an apology….I’m avoiding contact with her this week as I know she’ll have another excuse about him.

twiglet77 Mon 06-Jul-26 23:51:15

The vile Sussexes weren’t forced to verbally attack the Royal Family in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, nor to mock HM the late Queen with that parody of the curtsey, nor was Harry forced to lay bare his petty, spiteful and childish jealousy, really scraping the barrel with the retelling of losing his virginity in his book which portrayed what a nasty character he is (it has been dissected enough in the media, I wouldn’t dream of buying it). Their actions are calculated for maximum impact with a media crew always on board, they’re all “Me! Me!” and the feedback is always deservedly negative, yet some people think they should be left alone?? That seems to be the very last thing they want - who said the only thing worse than being talked about, is NOT being talked about? That sums them up.

Wyllow3 Mon 06-Jul-26 23:26:57

Ilovecheese

Not really sympathy but I do feel very uncomfortable with the amount of nastiness, indeed, vitriol, towards him and his wife.
Pretending to know the thoughts and actions of a person contributors have never met, I find distasteful.

Agreed.

Syracute Mon 06-Jul-26 22:51:34

Ridiculous that there two threads on the same subject.

Usedtobeblonde Mon 06-Jul-26 22:33:40

He is so like Edward the 8th.
A spoiled sybarite who then came under the influence of a divorced woman who saw the main chance.
While I don’t believe Wallis Simpson thought she could change the Monarchy,she thought she could change other things to her advantage.
I think Meghan also thought she could bring about change and become more popular than existing members of the family.When she realised she couldn’t she threw her toys out of the pram, thinking she could do better.
I don’t believe she has.

Syracute Mon 06-Jul-26 22:14:48

It is all a ruse and you have fell for it .
I am sure there will be a big family reunion that no one here will know about .

Franski Mon 06-Jul-26 21:44:29

I am scratching my head about the accommodation.. ..there must be a whole range of options for spare bedrooms: what about at Clarence House with his father, or at any of the other London residences. KP or if necessary Windsor, and commute in.. or just stay at a hotel. Or with friends or cousins. I am not understanding the problem? Presumably now that the family aren't coming, it's not about security anymore? Am puzzled.

StTrinians Mon 06-Jul-26 20:43:16

Not much really now, as marrying Meghan really was a bad idea, and everything has gone downhill since then. I actually feel more sorry for Charles not seeing his grandchildren for...4 years?!! That seems very harsh, and I do think that they should see their grandfather much more than that.

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 20:29:35

Deedaa

I think that Harry is his own worst enemy. He could have been living quietly in America and bringing his family over for private visits with none of us being any the wiser. He say's he fears hordes of paparazzi chasing the children, but if they hadn't made such a thing of never showing the children's faces they wouldn't have people desperate to get pictures. We see photos of the Wales children and they have ceased to be a novelty.

Yes - when they left I thought he would follow the model of Princess Madeleine of Sweden - a quiet life in Florida and some charity work. Unfortunately Harry was lured by the big money of selling gossip.

Madeleine didn't burn her bridges in Sweden, didn't sell stories and remained invited to events. So when she and her family moved back they were welcomed.

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 20:25:17

Smileless2012

I think it's worked out rather well for Harry.

He says he's coming with his wife and children, so Charles thinks that at last he'll be able to see his GC. Having given his father something to look forward too, Harry snatches it away, using security issues as a reason when he knew what those security measures would be before making the announcement.

He's offered accommodation at Buck. Palace but manages to leave it too late to accept so he can now whinge about not being allowed to stay in his families ancestral home.

That's at lease two chapters in the next book and possibly an interview too.

Yes he's always the victim and always has to brief the press. If he could just be more discreet he would have a much better relationship with his family. But he can't resist the LA celebrity headlines so announces everything to the press.

I think it is a blow to his ego but he is now Princess Beatrice who was also 5th in line when she was born. However he is just going to drop now. Princess Anne was once 2nd in line but is now 18th? But Harry cannot accept the drop in status.

As the spare Harry could have done anything - built a business, run an estate, bred horses. But sadly he chose to sell gossip - lured by the celebrity lifestyle.

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 20:15:17

Gran22boys

Not sure what I think. But what I do know is that losing one’s mother is one of the worst things that can happen to a child.

Yet William losing his mother is completely ignored

Deedaa Mon 06-Jul-26 19:53:55

I think that Harry is his own worst enemy. He could have been living quietly in America and bringing his family over for private visits with none of us being any the wiser. He say's he fears hordes of paparazzi chasing the children, but if they hadn't made such a thing of never showing the children's faces they wouldn't have people desperate to get pictures. We see photos of the Wales children and they have ceased to be a novelty.

Smileless2012 Mon 06-Jul-26 19:50:58

I think it's worked out rather well for Harry.

He says he's coming with his wife and children, so Charles thinks that at last he'll be able to see his GC. Having given his father something to look forward too, Harry snatches it away, using security issues as a reason when he knew what those security measures would be before making the announcement.

He's offered accommodation at Buck. Palace but manages to leave it too late to accept so he can now whinge about not being allowed to stay in his families ancestral home.

That's at lease two chapters in the next book and possibly an interview too.

Plevey08 Mon 06-Jul-26 19:35:29

As Monica said Harry was in the army, another institution. He did well in those settings. But as many know life outside of those settings is very different. I think he is a bit of a lost soul who wants to know that his family cares. It would be good to see his family support him. Yes there's always a risk that he will write another tell all book but that is likely to be because he feels rejected.

Gran22boys Mon 06-Jul-26 19:19:28

Not sure what I think. But what I do know is that losing one’s mother is one of the worst things that can happen to a child.

crazyH Mon 06-Jul-26 19:10:21

I am so angry at the way Harry is being treated.
If Diana was alive, she would be heartbroken at the way he is being treated.
The ‘saintly William’ as someone upthread calls him, can do no wrong.
Send me to the tower if you wish to, but I will say this, the jealously virtuous Catherine is at the bottom of this strife. She knows that Megan would have stolen her thunder. She wanted to be the star where only one was shining. I’m glad she is in remission from cancer and I wish her well.

MissAdventure Mon 06-Jul-26 19:07:49

I've every sympathy for him.
Wjy wouldn't I have - I'm not a royal.
I find it absolutely pathetic for people to make up a load of old twaddle about him and his wife.

It's thoroughly umpleasant to read.

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 19:06:18

If Harry is soooooooooooooo concerned about his security - why did his PR team brief the press as soon as he "touched down" in the UK!

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 18:57:42

vegansrock

It’s a bit sniffy of Buckingham Palace to say there isn’t time to organise his accommodation - how many bedrooms and staff does that place have? Charles doesn’t even live there. I’m sure they have a spare bedroom and could rustle up someone to cook his breakfast.

These days there is only a few staff at Buckingham Palace unless there is a planned visit. Charles thought it a waste of money to have it staffed with nobody living there full time. I think they transfer staff from other properties. So they need to coordinate domestic staff and likely security for visitors,

So I think it is reasonable to let your host know by Friday and not just announce you are turning up the same day. I think Harry wanted a different, better offer and rejected Buckingham Palace but then the better offer never came.

pably15 Mon 06-Jul-26 18:53:19

I couldn't care less about H & M, they couldn't wait to get away and dish the dirt to Opera. I think Harry probably has regrets,
but after the book, probably a little too late.

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 18:52:35

TG3465

Jaberwok

The only person in the RF who had a difficult, rather lonely upbringing was the then Prince Charles! Prince Philip in particular was very tough on this shy sensitive little boy who shook hands, and bowed to his mother. Gordonstone, although splendid for Andrew was the last school where Charles should have been sent, he was deeply unhappy and hated it. But for the support and love of his grandmother that boy would have had a desperately miserable time. Curiously the QM always appeared to be in Scotland during term.time?! Prince Harry did NOT have a difficult upbringing, any more than William did, parents divorce? along with many others, does not excuse bad behaviour. Sandhurst with two unaccademic A levels, only a Prince can do that, a mother who spoilt and encouraged bad behaviour, a father who did his best. Best of everything, money no object, grandparents who loved him, and whom he betrayed and now this drama! No sympathy at all for Harry. Plenty for the King who would love to see his grandchildren. What's wrong with arranging a family week at Balmoral? Plenty of security there, the estate is enormous. Princess Margaret had lots of faults, but she was never ever disloyal either to the crown or particularly her sister the Queen. No interviews, no books, no comment.

Yes. This. My sympathetic friend also spouts - lost his Mother young…all his Dad's fault because of Camilla……his Dad was never around when Harry needed him… All of which is regretful but I’m afraid that in his early forties his air of total petulance and grievance has worn thin with me now.

Yet his mother was happy to pack him off to boarding school at age 8 to pursue her own interests and then be the "fun mum" in the holidays

I always think that Princess Anne must have had a lonely upbringing - home schooled until she was 13 and then sent to boarding school when her younger brothers were born. Yet she has managed to carve out a life without demanding royal perks all the time.

SueDonim Mon 06-Jul-26 18:52:21

vegansrock

It’s a bit sniffy of Buckingham Palace to say there isn’t time to organise his accommodation - how many bedrooms and staff does that place have? Charles doesn’t even live there. I’m sure they have a spare bedroom and could rustle up someone to cook his breakfast.

I’m not sure they do have a huge number of staff there permanently. As I understand it from people with connections to Balmoral, many of the personal staff travel around with their employer rather than stay put in any one place. Though I doubt BP is like the Marie Celeste even when the king isn’t there! Perhaps Harry could bring his own valet etc.

I have to admit, I’m a bit baffled as to why the Duke of Sussex’s team would announce he was to stay at BP if security is an issue. Surely slipping in and out of the country quietly would be safer.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 06-Jul-26 18:52:03

valdali

Oh yes, I'm enraged on his behalf.
There's such a thing as fairness & honouring family ties, & in my scale of values it ranks above Palace protocols (which are set by a lot of stuffy, decades behind the times, Palace staffers).

Do you genuinely believe that Harry would have stayed at Buckingham Palace whilst it is open to the public?

valdali Mon 06-Jul-26 18:49:19

Oh yes, I'm enraged on his behalf.
There's such a thing as fairness & honouring family ties, & in my scale of values it ranks above Palace protocols (which are set by a lot of stuffy, decades behind the times, Palace staffers).

Cold Mon 06-Jul-26 18:45:13

BlueBelle

Yes I do feel quite sorry for him I think he’s grown up in an unenviable position, It’s well documented that the ‘Spare’ always has a difficult time and often doesn’t perform as expected (look no further than Margaret)
I think there has been a lot of nastiness in the right wing press picking up on every single thing down to practically the way he breathes This has got more marked with marrying Meghan and having the children. You only have to look at remarks on here
I think Charles and the rather saintly William have joined forces so he feels even less welcome and more pushed out
I don t think I d even bother coming over if it was me

Well selling stories about his brother's genitals for cash is hardly likely to make him popular

The royals can't trust him at all as he sells them out to make money without any qualms in his next Netflix or book deal and then plays the victim and throws tantrums in the press when he doesn't get his way

M0nica Mon 06-Jul-26 18:29:44

Prince Harry was in the army, a fully serving officer including piloting a helicopter in a war zone, of course he has coping skills. Unlike his uncle, AMW, he was a popular officer who won the confidence and trust of those serving under him. The promoted the Invictus Games as a result of his service in Afghanistan

When he was single he spent a lot of time in the states and got up to all sorts of things there.

I had a lot of sympathy for him and his wife in the beginning, but I have none now. I think it was the head of Netflix who described them as a pair of grifers, always on the take, not delivering the goods and whinging when people do not share their inflated opinion of themselves.

It doesn't matter how much money his brother and father have. He has shafted them time and time again and they are now very cautious about dealing with him again, lest he shaft them yet again.