The complex question of British identity has found a new, and controversial, commentator: Prince Harry. In a newly published passage, the Duke of Sussex has attempted to define the nation's character, but his efforts have been met with significant criticism for being superficial and lacking credibility, given his residence in the United States.
A Military Lens on National Character
Unsurprisingly, given his decade of military service, Prince Harry frames his view of Britishness through a primarily armed forces perspective. The former Blues and Royals officer, who completed two tours in Afghanistan, penned a short piece titled The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British. In it, he connects national remembrance ceremonies with a wider shared culture.
While his dedication to veterans is well-documented and sincere—he founded the Invictus Games for injured service personnel—his philosophical exploration falls short. Critics argue his writing is characterised by a 'self-protective larkiness' and an awkward gravitas. He points to 'the banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands' as quintessentially British, a claim that has been described as making 'more sensitive souls cringe'.
The Wellness and Location Problem
The duke's text is also infused with the language of modern wellness and motivational speaking. He describes remembrance as 'a lifelong commitment to empathy, gratitude, and action; to be kinder, more united'. However, the well-worn exhortation to 'be kind' has developed a 'darkly ironic ring' in recent public discourse.
A more substantial issue, however, is the author's location. Prince Harry acknowledges his situation with the phrase, 'Though currently, I may live in the United States…'. He resides with his wife Meghan in their $30 million Chateau of Riven Rock mansion in Montecito, California. This relocation, motivated partly by a desire for commercial success including a reported $100 million Netflix deal, creates an 'obvious and immediate hurdle' for any lecture on patriotism.
Credibility and Consequences
The article suggests that Prince Harry 'cannot read the room'. His initial hope to blend a lucrative private-sector career with a diluted form of royal status was ended by the late Queen. This led to him losing honorary military titles, including Captain General of the Royal Marines.
Ultimately, the critique centres on tone and consequence. The piece concludes that while his work with the Invictus Games is admirable, paeans to the British character composed from behind gates on the Pacific Coast sabotage their own credibility. It is a matter of choices, the writer states, and like his uncle Andrew, Prince Harry is discovering that choices come with consequences.
