Prince Harry has made headlines with his recent speech, where he subtly critiqued former President Donald Trump, despite asserting a neutral stance in politics. This development comes at a time when King Charles extended an "unprecedented" invitation for a second state visit to Trump. The invitation was conveyed by Britain's Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during a meeting in the Oval Office, an honor traditionally not extended to second-term presidents. Trump previously visited the UK on a state visit in 2019 during his first term.
The Duke of Sussex touched upon the potential harm caused when leaders prioritize "power and control" over "basic morals and empathy." Although Prince Harry has never publicly expressed views on Trump, his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, has openly criticized the former president, labeling him a "misogynist" and "divisive."
"When service to others is sacrificed for personal gain. When basic morals and empathy are abandoned in favor of power and control." – Prince Harry
"Now this would be a great time to talk about how a sickness in leadership across sectors—from politics to tech—can have a detrimental effect on millions, if not billions, of people," – Prince Harry
Prince Harry's comments come amidst a backdrop of complex relations with Trump, who once hinted at deporting the Duke due to his past admissions of drug use. Despite this tension, King Charles maintains a favorable view of Trump, appreciating his relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth.
"On behalf of our wonderful first lady Melania and myself, the answer is yes, and we look forward to being there and honoring the King and honoring your country," – Donald Trump
"President Trump also shared some warm and fond memories with The Prince about the Late Queen for which HRH was extremely grateful," – Kensington Palace (statement)
The invitation from King Charles signifies an unusual diplomatic gesture, underscored by Prime Minister Starmer's remarks highlighting the historic nature of this invitation.
"This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented, and I think that just symbolizes the strength of the relationship between us," – Keir Starmer
Prince Harry's subtle criticism surfaced during his appearance at the Upfront Summit in Los Angeles on February 27. There, he discussed his focus on businesses that serve the community and drive positive change—a pursuit he has been committed to for the past five years.
Moreover, Prince Harry shares a strong bond with his brother, Prince William, who is next in line for the throne. In December 2024, they shared "warm and fond memories" of Queen Elizabeth during a brief meeting, lasting around 40 minutes, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.
