Prince Harry’s crusade for relevance just failed again in King Charles’s shadow

For a man on a desperate crusade for privacy, Prince Harry never seems to want his name out of the headlines for very long. Just hours before his father drew in enormous crowds during a surprise visit to speak to members of the Jewish community in London, Harry (once again) put pen to paper to broadcast his own fears from 5,000 miles away.

Despite not having lived in the UK for six years now, the Duke has often spoken out about issues at home – albeit his gospelising is usually restricted to the plights of the armed forces or his seemingly never-ending legal battles. But this time was different.

Harry penned a long essay for the New Statesman to express his concerns about a “deeply troubling” increase in attacks against the Jewish community and called for those protesting against events in the Middle East to be “clear” about where their anger is directed.

Worthy as his words are for a cause that, he is right, is deeply troubling – more so, in fact – they are just words, and, when you see the reaction King Charles received today, well, there’s little doubt which method is more effective.

Harry did manage to jump ahead of the critics for once and reference his own shortcomings when he dressed up in a Nazi uniform, complete with a swastika armband, for a ‘colonials and natives’ party in 2005. Explaining, he wrote: “I am acutely aware of my own past mistakes – thoughtless actions for which I have apologised, taken responsibility and learned from.

“That experience informs my conviction that clarity matters now more than ever, at a time when confusion and the distortion of truth are doing real harm – even when speaking plainly is not without consequence.”

Unfortunately, though, no matter what Harry says that his past experiences “inform [his] conviction”, you need only look at the size of the crowds, the cheers of ‘God Save the King’, and people quite literally hanging off buildings to get the faintest glimpse of the King today to know what a true leader looks like.

We saw the King speaking about what a “dangerous world” we live in, and refusing to let go of Moshe Shine’s hand as he listened intently to his horrific experience of being stabbed in the neck during the vicious attack back in April.

Mr Shine described the King as “inspiring”, adding: “He was very concerned. He didn’t let go of my hand, I mean it was amazing, he is the King, but I felt a genuine warmth and concern.”

Harry’s essay is, of course, welcome and spreads an essential message; there’s no denying that. But when it comes from behind a computer screen and is eclipsed within hours by his father simply being in tune with public feeling, it does little to make him appear less like a titan of global geopolitics, and, once again, attempting to overshadow the success of others.

His approach also risks alienating those who disagree with his specific comments on the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, the King’s hands-on approach ensures that the Crown remains neutral, allowing Jewish, Muslim, and representatives of other faith groups to feel equally seen and heard by the Crown and the government.

The King previously left little doubt about his personal thoughts after he became the patron of Jewish charity, Community Security Trust (CST), one day after the shocking firebombing of four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green.

He has also long affirmed his wish to be inclusive of all faiths, rather than just the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This wish was made manifest when he had all denominations represented at his coronation in 2023, and, although it has sometimes attracted less savoury commentary, it is entirely in keeping with who he is: a man entirely devoted to harmony, friendship and faith.

So while Harry continues to reflect on his past – truly, his greatest talent – his father is busy shaping the present, and I think we can all agree which is more effective.