What Alex Rayner has revealed about pal Prince Harry in the past including Arctic disaster
Alex and Harry go way backPrince Harry’s pal, Alex Rayner, has recently spoke about in support of the duke amid a row over the royal’s charity.
Alex and Prince Harry seemingly go back a long time. They were at Eton College together, and Alex’s recent comments suggest they have remained close since.
From disasters in the Arctic to backing his pal in the current charity exit row, here’s what Alex has revealed about the duke’s past…
Alex Rayner on Prince Harry’s Arctic disaster
Back in 2011, Prince Harry was left stuck in the Arctic. Alex previously opened up about the disaster, which happened weeks before Harry’s brother Prince William’s wedding.
Just weeks before Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton, Prince Harry was in the Arctic. The duke was taking part in a gruelling trek to the North Pole for Walking with the Wounded.
Speaking to royal author Katie Nicholl for her book Harry: Life, Loss, and Love in 2017, Alex recalled how Harry’s Arctic expedition was stressing the palace out.
“Harry had a really packed schedule and, with the royal wedding just around the corner, there was a lot for him to do,” he said.
“By this stage, his aides at Clarence House were getting bit concerned about rehearsals [for the wedding], but there was Harry stranded on the ice and there wasn’t a thing we could do about it,” he continued.
“He was joking that he’d have a bit of peace and quiet out on the ice, and I told him it was a great chance to compose his best man’s speech.”
Prince Harry’s ‘heartbreak’ over charity row
Recently, Harry announced that he’d stepped down from his role as a trustee of the Sentebale charity.
The duke, along with other trustees, had seen their relationship with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka, break down completely. This then led to his resignation as a trustee.
However, Sophie has since hit out at the duke, accusing him of “bullying”.
Speaking to the MailOnline recently, Alex has claimed that Harry is “heartbroken” by the recent row surrounding the charity.
“He is just beyond heartbroken and flabbergasted that the charity he founded as a teenager has been taken hostage by the chair. It feels tantamount to a hostile takeover. He is so upset and hurt and wounded about the things that are being said about him,” he said.
“I think it’s too early to tell whether he will just walk away now or whether he might try and get it back.”
Alex Rayner backs ‘pariah’ Harry
Alex also added that he believes Sophie is “jealous” of Harry’s wife, Meghan.
He then defended his friend, despite him now being seen as a “pariah” since his royal exit.
“You cannot say that Harry’s brand is of no consequence to the charity, it simply does not stack up. Yes, he has gone from being the great hope of the British royal family to being seen as a pariah, but he still attracts a lot of exposure. And with a TV crew in tow—what sponsor would not want the global exposure?” he said.
Read more: Prince Harry seen in new video message after being ‘heartbroken’ and ‘wounded’ over charity row
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