Prince Harry Slammed For Not Singing UK National Anthem During Nigeria Trip; Ex-Bulter Reasons It Was Not A Royal Visit
Prince Harry raised eyebrows after he seemingly refused to sing the U.K.'s national anthem.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrapped up their three-day visit to Nigeria on Sunday. During the visit, the British national anthem was played when they attended a charity event. Prince Harry and Markle stood and stared straight ahead. Neither sang the song, especially Prince Harry, even though the anthem, "God Save the King," is for his father, King Charles.
Princess Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, weighed in on the pair's reaction when he joined Patrick Christys on GB News. The host presented a clip from the event when the U.K.'s national anthem was played, and Prince Harry noticeably didn't sing.
Why would they bother with the National Anthem on a "private" visit? Harry wants to honour the Royal Family he hats so much??? Hilarious
— pam dean (@pirmella) May 12, 2024
"Isn't that embarrassing? It's not only embarrassing for them, it's embarrassing for the world and certainly embarrassing for our country," Burrell said.
"I just don't get it, Patrick. I don't get why they are launching themselves as a royal couple on the world stage, pretending to be still working royals when they're not."
He added, "King Charles should have something to say to his son about his son's position on such a public platform in a Commonwealth country."
In the same interview, Burrell said that the national anthem should not have been played because it was not a royal visit. He also shared what the foreign office should do when dealing with the Sussexes, who no longer represent the Commonwealth and British monarchy.
"Now, the foreign office should keep their eye on this because they should be advising the high Commissioners in all Commonwealth countries and telling them that this is not a royal visit. At the royal visit, they play the national anthem. Why was the national anthem played at their visit, it wasn't a royal visit," Burrell said.
"They didn't sing the words to it. I'm not sure whether Meghan knows all the words to the national anthem. I'm sure Harry does, but they didn't. Why didn't they? And why did they play the national anthem? You know, I just think it's a mess."
The author of "The Way We Were: Remembering Diana" also shared his thoughts on the trip. According to him, it was a PR promotion because Prince Harry and Markle have two upcoming projects with Netflix. However, he noted that the Sussexes were pale in comparison to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
"They are not in the same league as Kate and William. They're not. This is a good timing for Harry and Meghan when Kate's out and King's out and William's looking after the family back home, but they are no longer working royals," Burrell said. "They do not represent the king or our country, and they are undermining the good work which our royals do in Commonwealth countries."
Robert Jobson, a British journalist, writer and author, also shared the same sentiment. According to him, the Sussexes' visit to Nigeria was a "missed opportunity" because they didn't have the same reach compared to the time they were still working royals.
