KEY POINTS

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a statement about the Commonwealth 
  • Veteran royal photographer found Prince Harry's remark insulting to the Queen
  • The royal expert urged Prince Harry to not listen to his wife Meghan

Prince Harry made a statement that was insulting to the Queen, according to a veteran royal photographer.

The Duke of Sussex said something that many deemed as a swipe at the British Empire. Prince Harry appeared to have criticized the monarchy when he said that the history of Commonwealth “must be acknowledged” even if it is “uncomfortable.”

Prince William’s brother made the remark during a video call that was part of the discussion on “justice and equal rights.” He added that the Commonwealth should follow others who have “acknowledged the past” and are “trying to right their wrongs.” He also admitted that he has his “own unconscious bias.”

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards did not approve of Prince Harry’s statement. For him, the duke’s statement was an insult to the Queen.

“Prince Harry is entitled to his views. But in criticising the Commonwealth – the organisation closest to his grandmother’s heart – he has simply lost the plot,” Edwards told The Sun.

During the same video call, Markle added that it’s a time of “reckoning.” The duchess also said that people should “own” their past wrongdoings.

The Sussexes are aware of how important the Commonwealth is for the Queen. Markle’s wedding veil was even embroidered with the flower of every Commonwealth nation.

“To criticise the one thing the Queen cherishes above all things, which is preserving the Commonwealth, is an insult to her — no matter what the palace may say officially,” Edwards continued.

“Any country can look back and find faults, but we learn from history and move on. Harry should stop listening to his wife, who is obviously filling him full of these ideas. She is evidently no fan of Her Majesty’s beloved Commonwealth.”

In related news, Markle was criticized by another royal expert for naming other royals in her case against Mail Online. In the duchess’ recent filings, she fired back at the tabloid’s claim that she “is a member of the Royal Family and does not undertake paid work” by naming the other members of the Firm who do.

In her legal document, Markle mentioned Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Michael of Kent. However, royal expert Marlene Koenig disapproved of her gesture and even called it “embarrassing.”

“I wish Meghan had not brought Beatrice, Eugenie & Prince Michael into her case. They are not working royals & have to earn $. She & Harry could have remained senior royals & done paid work by following the Luce Guidelines. It eas offered,” Koenig wrote on Twitter.

Prince Harry
Britain's Prince Harry is pictured. AFP/Adrian DENNIS