Prince Harry's thinly veiled criticism of Donald Trump at the Kyiv Security Forum, just days before King Charles's visit to the United States, has been branded an indelicate attempt to 'grab those headlines,' according to Richard Eden of the Daily Mail.
Harry's Ukraine Opportunity
Speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor claimed that Ukraine presents a unique opportunity for Harry because the British government is unlikely to allow Prince William to visit the war-torn nation. This, Eden argued, gives Harry a chance to 'one up' his brother, regardless of the strain it places on King Charles's already complicated mission to help repair the special relationship between the UK and US.
On Thursday, Harry addressed an audience of senior defence and government officials in Kyiv, calling on the United States to honour its international treaty obligations to Ukraine. He told the room that 'this is a moment for American leadership.' The comments were widely interpreted as a direct criticism of President Trump's stance on Ukraine.
Eden's Criticism
'At the moment, Harry and Meghan seem determined to grab those headlines,' Eden argued during a special US edition of Palace Confidential, broadcasting from New York ahead of the King's visit. 'To put this in context, Harry is in the US as a guest. They have kindly let him live in the country despite admitting to past drug use. Then, he gives speeches lecturing their President on how he should be conducting world affairs. It's sheer chutzpah at best, but I would say, arrogant at worst.'
Eden also noted that this is not the first time Harry has used Ukraine for grandstanding. 'Last time he visited, Harry arrived on the same day as our Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper. He knows it's difficult for Prince William to visit Ukraine. William has been on military exercises, and he's been close to the country, but I don't think the British government would let him go. Harry knows this, so it's a chance for a bit of one-upmanship.'
Royal Reactions
Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, agreed with Eden's assessment, suggesting there would be 'a lot of sighing and rolling of eyes' in the King's camp following Harry's speech. 'I have not had the chance to speak to anyone at the Palace yet. But, I can imagine a lot of sighing, rolling eyes and maybe the odd head in hands,' she said.
English highlighted the poor timing of Harry's remarks, which came on the same day as Prince Louis's eighth birthday and just four days before the King's first audience with Donald Trump. 'The timing is terrible. If Harry had gone to Ukraine because he wanted to highlight the work of Invictus, that I think is acceptable. But he's not done that. He has gone and given a very high profile, deeply political speech at a time where the President of the country which his father is visiting has expressed doubts about Ukraine's leadership. It can only be taken as a dig to President Trump. So, the timing for the Palace really is not great.'
Trump's Importance on the Meeting
Trump has placed enormous importance on the meeting with King Charles, having previously said the visit could 'absolutely' help repair relations between the two countries. This follows weeks of increasingly hostile exchanges with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain's position on the Iran war. The King's visit is seen as a crucial diplomatic opportunity to strengthen the special relationship.
Eden, Kay, and English discussed all these developments on the Palace Confidential podcast, which is available on the Daily Mail's YouTube channel.
