Prince Harry's tribute to Queen Elizabeth II defended over 'sensational' claims he 'upstaged' William and Kate
Queen Elizabeth II died three years ago on September 8
Prince Harry visited Queen Elizabeth II’s grave at Windsor on September 8, the third anniversary of the late monarch’s death.
Since then, Harry‘s gesture has raised some eyebrows.
His tribute has even been criticised for allegedly trying to “upstage” Prince William and Princess Kate’s visit to Sunningdale.
The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed tea with the Women’s Institute, an organisation close to Queen Elizabeth II’s heart, on Monday.
Unfortunately for Harry, some headlines have even dubbed him a “hypocrite” as well as “shameless” for the move. Now, one royal experts has weighed in over Harry’s behaviour.
Prince Harry’s visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s grave
Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell gave a review of Harry’s trip to Windsor on Monday, where he reportedly laid flowers at his grandmother’s grave.
She penned: “What a shameless hypocrite Prince Harry is. Having just arrived in the UK for his ‘pseudo royal’ tour, his first stop after being whisked through customs was to pay private homage to his beloved ‘Granny’ at her grave.
“Harry was snapped heading for Windsor Castle where, we were told, he laid a wreath and flowers on the late Queen’s grave – in the King George VI Memorial Chapel – and spent 20 minutes there in solitude.
“How could he have done so, after all the damage and pain he caused her and the monarchy in her final years?”
Elsewhere, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has shared his thoughts on Prince Harry’s Windsor visit. He even defended Harry’s actions.
He exclusively told Royal Insider: “Since he arrived in Britain to present the WellChild Awards on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death, it was only natural that Prince Harry would lay a wreath at the Queen’s grave at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Prince Harry ‘was not trying to steal headlines’
“William and Catherine were involved in an engagement to commemorate the anniversary at the Women’s Institute at Sunningdale which was an excellent idea. However to claim that by his tribute Harry was trying to steal headlines from them is simply sensational.”
Although, Mr Fitzwilliams did agree that he felt the Sussexes made Queen Elizabeth’s final years turbulent.
He said: “The Sussexes made the Queen’s last years difficult. Their behaviour has been atrocious. And the royal family, quite rightly, does not trust them.
Harry’s outing should not be compared with Prince William and Princess Kate
“King Charles, however, has now seen Harry, their first contact in 19 months. However, how any reconciliation proceeds will depend on how the Sussexes, who have ruthlessly monetised their royal connections and have constantly attacked the royals in the media, behave.”
He went on to say: “If Harry had not paid a special tribute to the Queen, it would have been extraordinary as she was indeed an icon. I do think he was fond of her.”
Furthermore, Mr Fitzwilliams even theorised that if Harry had indeed failed to pay tribute to his grandmother, there would have been uproar too.
“It would have also have been viewed as a snub from an exile,” he explained.
Mr Fitzwilliams concluded by insisting that Harry’s actions were not intended to overshadow William and Kate’s WI visit: “It had no connection with William and Catherine’s tribute and should not have been compared with it.”
