Be more understanding of princely peccadillos

THE opening sentence of Grant Woodward’s column “We need to talk about Harry” – Harry being a substitute for “Kevin” of course – annoyed me (Yorkshire Post, January 23).

To liken Prince Harry to a monster in the making is totally bizarre. There can be no excuse for such an odious comparison. Kevin, having murdered his own father and sister, proceeded to dispatch as many of his classmates as possible. Prince Harry, in his interview, simply admitted to having killed terrorists in the line of duty, performing his job as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner. He has not yet learned that “discretion is the better part of valour”.

Equally unjust is to label him a playboy prince when he has just spent 20 weeks in Afghanistan. The majority of us are very proud of him, most of the time. He is a courageous young man with a strong desire to serve his country, who finds himself in a difficult position torn between wanting to be an ordinary young man, which he never can be, and resigning himself to the duties of a senior member of the Royal Family.

Grant Woodward points out that “pop musicians and film stars have long had to come to terms with the fact that their every move will be open to scrutiny”. However, they have chosen their professions and have to accept the results of fame. Harry does not enjoy the same total freedom. His options are limited.

Imagine having your peccadillos and indiscretions broadcast around the world. Who, among us, has nothing to hide, nothing of which he is ashamed? Let him cast the first stone. Perhaps we need to be more compassionate and understanding of those who are born into the Royal Family from whom so much is expected? It is an onerous position to be in.