Following in Edward VIIIs Footsteps, and then Some...How Will History See Prince Harry?
I recently read Jane Maguerite Tippett’s “Once a King,” which is a wonderful book about the life of Edward VIII with a heavy focus on the process of him writing his memoir during his time as the Duke of Windsor. While entrenched in the story, something kept standing out to me that seemed familiar… Even though he left the royal family, Edward felt a strong loyalty to his country, and wanted to continue to carry out duties as he had done for twenty-five years. He wanted to be partly in, and partly out. He went on pseudo royal tours around Europe (and almost came to America for a tour) that were not sanctioned by the Royal Family. He had people helping him to earn and income and even write a book. When he made the decision to leave, he thought he would be able to retain his Windsor home, Ft. Belvedere and although the decision was a very hard one, which the book makes very clear, he optimistically thought he could have the best of both worlds. However, this was not to be, because then, as now, the Royal family could not have one of their working members half way in, and half way out.
This story highlighted an echo that came about eighty-five years after the crisis for Edward VIII in the form of his great, great nephew, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Over the past six years, royal watchers, and much of the world have watched Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in their Royal Family exit crisis with very mixed feelings. And, had Harry looked just a short way into his family history, he may have been able to adjust his plans accordingly. He may have realized that the almost exact same plans for Edward VIII did not work out, and he was a much loved King, not a second son. So how could Prince Harry expect the same to work out for him?
I know supporters of Harry and Meghan would argue that it is a different and more modern time today. And while I do agree that it is, what people miss is the trust factor. Just like Edward VIII who very much betrayed the trust of his family when he decided to abdicate, Harry started to betray the trust of his family as well. And the actions that followed for both Edward and Harry also lead to further mistrust. Edward went on what I truly believe he thought was a harmless pseudo royal tour to Nazi Germany, wrote books, gave interviews etc. Harry, who just recently was on the same type of pseudo tour in Africa has done just the same, and more. Harry has given monumentally harmful interviews, wrote a book that he very much overshared in, and even went so far as to say that the ball is now in his family’s court to mend the relationship…Which seems awfully high handed because he said it in an interview where he was promoting his book which was not at all kind to them.
The blatant negative statements about family members is something, when watching interviews with the Duke of Windsor, you never see. There aren’t “secrets spilled” or hinted at and any talk about his royal life is more about his time, and what he might think about a situation, which he tactfully answers in a non committal way. Now, we know that those aren’t all of the feelings that the Duke had, but the difference is, he didn’t appear to be out airing his family’s laundry. As we well know from books and interviews, Prince Harry has done just that. I wonder here if this is just because times are different and there is a much stronger emphasis on sharing inner feelings. Does Harry feel proud of doing this because perhaps he feels like he is “speaking out”? Is he just falling into the trap that is celebrity culture in the 2020s? Will he look back on his actions in thirty years time and regret them? Does he regret them now?
So, it makes me wonder, is Harry a bit dense? Does he not know his family history? Or was he a bit arrogant in thinking that what didn’t at all work out before for someone who was actually the King would work out for him? What do you think? And How do you think History will look back on Prince Harry in time? Let me know in the comments.
Until Next Time,
McKenzie
Ps. Here is a link to Once a King…Great book!
Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII https://a.co/d/03ZIaIkX
A really interesting comparison that has crossed my mind many times too. Thank you for sharing!
Dense is exactly what I think Harry is. I don't know why he ever imagined that he could be half in/half out AND not live in the UK. There is sort of a precedent for half in/half out, namely the case of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. To marry her, a Catholic, he had to give up his place in the line of succession and his Civil List income. They both worked in the private sector, he in private banking and she in interior design, but were allowed a grace-and-favour residence in Kensington Palace, performed such public engagements as they could schedule around their professional activities (without logistical support from the Palace), and attended family events. The crucial difference between the Michaels and the Sussexes, of course, is that the former stayed in the UK and didn't bad mouth their royal relations. There's also the case of the York princesses, who are not working members of the royal family and have private sector jobs, nonetheless keeping their titles and styles, but again they live in the UK and don't bad mouth anybody. As for the comparison between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Windsor, I agree with all your points, but I'd add one more: I believe that deep down both wanted out and chose wives who would get them out.