FAMILY FEUD
Prince Harry has ‘thrown the Queen’s gesture back in her face’ with his ‘I have no choice’ speech, royal expert claims
PRINCE Harry “threw the Queen’s warm words” about his future back in her face last night, according to a royal expert.
Royal author Phil Dampier said that the Duke of Sussex’s loaded Sentebale speech was packed full of hidden messages about his future with Meghan Markle.
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Phil told Fabulous Digital: “Harry’s speech to the Sentebale dinner reminded me greatly of King Edward VIII’s abdication address. He even sounded like him at times!
“It was all about him, justifying his actions and admitting he had to give it all up for the woman he loved.
“The Queen had sent out warm words as a loving grandmother in her statement. But threw this all back in her face by opening up on Sunday night.”
Here, Fabulous Digital looks at key quotes from the speech and what they could reveal about his feelings towards his family members and his future...
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"So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry."
The duke's speech opened with him addressing Sentebale attendees as simply "Harry", without his association to his titles.
Phil said the effect of Harry having the last word against the Queen and using his informal name was him "trying to make people like him and get down on the same level as his charity."
The royal expert added: "He’s also distancing himself from the Palace in an act of defiance and trying to carve out a separate identity."
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"The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change."
Harry spoke passionately about feeling ties to the UK, in the wake of him relocating to North America for part of the year.
Phil said this seemed contradictory to Harry's previous comments, and could have a deeper agenda.
He explained: "He says the UK is his home and a place that he loves.
"But in previous interviews Harry has said he doesn’t like this country and wanted to leave.
"I can’t help feeling this speech was all about a damage limitation exercise, PR spin to make it easier for him to come home when he likes."
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"Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray!"
The Duke made reference to his mother in his moving speech, but made the glaring omission of mentioning his father, Prince Charles.
Phil said: "I always think people are going a bit potty when they start talking about themselves in the third person as Harry did.
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"It must be galling for Charles to read this. He is his father."
Phil claimed this could be evidence for rumours that Harry has patched things up with brother Prince William, but that he is still at odds with his father Prince Charles.
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"I also know you’ve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with."
Harry's speech spoke about wife Meghan, who is currently with Archie in Canada, and the language used could be reaffirming their stability as a couple.
Phil explained: "By saying Meghan is still the same person he’s trying to deflect the criticism she’s had.
"He’s saying it’s not her fault but they have acted jointly.
"He’s also saying their marriage is solid and will work in the new set up."
While Harry may have glowed about their strength as a couple, Phil added of their bond: "He’s right about one thing.
"Meghan is the same woman he married. She dumped her first husband after two years to the shock of her friends.
"She has dumped her dad. And now she has dumped the royal family. I just hope for Harry’s sake that he’s not next!"
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"We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride."
The royal implored that he and Meghan have dedicated their lives to serving the UK, but Phil disagreed with this claim.
He said: "To say he and Meghan have flown the flag and do everything they can to carry out their roles for this country when they are leaving to cash in in North America is an insult to our intelligence.
"They just didn’t want to do the nitty-gritty daily jobs around the country, preferring to concentrate on a few high profile causes close to their heart."
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"What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you."
Phil said that Harry's comment about "not walking away" was incorrect, and his actions prove otherwise.
The royal author stated: "To say they are not walking away or they had no choice is patently absurd. They are walking away and they DID have a choice.
"They could have stuck with royal duties, knuckled down and been a tremendous success, particularly as Commonwealth ambassadors, which is where the Queen had high hopes for them."
He added that the couple is needed more than ever, as the Queen is nearly 94, Philip retired at 98, Anne 70 this year and Charles and Camilla in their seventies.
Phil commented: "He says he has the upmost respect for his grandmother and is sorry it’s come to this, but whose fault is it?
"They are leaving after just 20 months while the Queen has put in a shift of 67 years!"
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"But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life."
Phil said that Harry made it clear in his speech that "his love for Meghan was stronger than all his family ties".
He added: "This is very reminiscent of Edward VIII giving up the throne for the woman he loved.
"He is desperate to be loved and not to let down his favourite causes. They will support him but I’m not sure about the general public."
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When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing
Phil said that yet again Harry brought up the death of his mother, "which has become a bit of a trump card" for him.
He said: "Of course what happened to her was tragic, but lots of other people lose their mothers and they have to get on with life without the privileges he enjoys.
"William has coped, so why can’t he?"
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