Outrage grows as critics call for palace to step in
Prince Harry’s attempt to honour veterans on the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day has triggered a storm of criticism, with some accusing him of exploiting the occasion for publicity.
The Duke of Sussex arranged for a wreath and personal letter to be placed at the Burma Star Memorial, timed shortly after King Charles and Queen Camilla departed the official service. In his note, Harry praised the “Forgotten Army” and paid tribute to his late grandfather, Prince Philip, for his service in the Pacific campaign.
But the gesture was met with anger. Speaking on The Vintage View, host Shauna branded it a “cynical PR stunt” and accused the Duke of hijacking a solemn day to boost his image. Her criticism was deeply personal, noting that her son’s grandfather had fought in New Guinea. “How dare he use VJ Day for press releases at the ready for yet another cynical PR stunt?” she said.
Her outrage extended beyond Harry himself. Shauna blasted media outlets such as the Daily Mail, Yahoo News, and Page Six for their favourable coverage, which included headlines like “Prince Harry’s secret tribute” and “painful reminder of the cost of what he left behind.”
“When is action going to be taken to reign him in?” she asked. “The monarchy isn’t one family’s plaything, it’s an institution that belongs to us all.”
Others, however, defended Harry’s actions. Historian Dr Tessa Dunlop described the tribute as “a quiet reminder” of the duties he had been forced to relinquish after stepping back from royal life. She argued the gesture proved Harry has not forgotten his most meaningful responsibilities, “even if his own family seems to have forgotten him.”
