Prince Harry's latest move has sparked intense outrage, with many slamming his action during a highly emotional event.
The backlash has been swift and merciless, with royal commentators and fans alike expressing their disappointment and frustration over the Duke of Sussex's alleged stunt to get the spotlight.
The controversy comes at a time when Harry's relationship with King Charles, Prince William and the royal family is already under intense scrutiny, with many branding it Meghan-style stunt.
A private tribute arranged by Harry to honour his late grandfather, Prince Philip, has ignited a firestorm of backlash, with some royal insiders calling it a "cynical attempt" to regain favour with the royal family.
It comes after the Duke of Sussex's letter paying tribute to Prince Philip made headlines and provoked reactions. Arrangements were made for him to have a wreath and a letter laid at the Burma Star Memorial at Britain's National Memorial Arboretum. The gesture was made on Friday, August 15, to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
Harry's tribute was reportedly carried out by one of his friends after the monarch and Queen Camilla had already left the official remembrance service.
As per Radar Online, "Harry was thousands of miles away but still wanted his tribute to be noticed. The trouble is, it looks like he was trying to tug at the heartstrings and remind the family of his military credentials. It feels calculated – and people are calling it sniveling."
Another insider suggested the move wasn't coordinated with the Palace, noting, "Some see it as an attempt to curry favour at a very delicate time for the King."
The letter, embossed with the Duke's cypher and signed simply "Harry," specifically mentioned his grandfather, Prince Philip, who served in the Pacific campaign during World War II.
Despite the perceived low-key nature of the arrangement, critics argue that the move was motivated "less by humility and more by optics."
A royal insider explained, "If Harry had wanted this to be entirely private, it would have been. By ensuring it was seen and reported, he has opened himself up to accusations of being manipulative."
Reacting to it, one friend of the royal family told the Mail, "Harry hurt his grandfather deeply during the final year of his life," adding: "What hypocrisy."
It is worth mentioning here that Prince William and Princess Kate, who are working royals, did not leave wreaths at the VJ ceremony.
This Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly wanted the commemorations to be led by and for the focus to be on the King and Queen.
The source further claimed that the Palace viewed the Duke of Sussex's olive branch as "hijacking" the national service of remembrance.
In his letter, Harry wrote: "For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign. He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave."
The Duke's letter also paid homage to the "Forgotten Army," the soldiers who fought in the Far East.
King Charles' youngest son wrote: "We also pause to recognize you, the men and women of the Forgotten Army, whose courage and endurance in the Far East campaign were anything but forgettable. You faced an enemy determined to the last, fought in unforgiving terrain, and endured months, even years, far from home, in conditions most could scarcely imagine."
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