Prince Harry’s Contradictions and Inconsistencies: A Closer Look

Many critics believed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were focusing on their US fanbase after their royal exit and ongoing criticisms, but an in-depth investigation by Buzzfeed News suggests that they may also face a loss of support in America.

In an article titled “Prince Harry is contradicting himself,” reporter Ellie Hall highlights discrepancies in Harry's latest claims and interviews compared to his previous statements.

Throughout his recent conversations, Harry has taken on the role of a revisionist historian, contradicting past statements about his mental health issues and the support he received from the royal family.

While Harry has repeatedly suggested that he was suffering alone until he met Meghan, he actually claimed in 2017 that his brother, Prince William, had urged him to pursue therapy and praised him for it.

When approached by Buzzfeed News, a spokesperson for the Sussexes drew a distinction between Harry's private struggles and his public advocacy work.

They pointed out that although Harry had sought mental health treatment before meeting Meghan, she was the catalyst for finding a therapist who could provide him with the care and support he needed.

However, Buzzfeed also noted that Harry, William, and Kate Middleton had worked together on a mental health initiative starting in 2016.

Furthermore, Harry's series with Oprah on mental health began production in 2019, while he was still a working royal.

In a podcast back in 2017, Harry admitted to speaking to a therapist multiple times.

William and Kate also showed their support for tackling the stigma around mental health, with William criticizing the “stiff upper-lip” mentality associated with Britain.

He revealed that he sought mental health assistance after a traumatic incident during his time as an air ambulance pilot.

In 2014, Harry claimed that William started encouraging him to address his feelings three years prior, but he later stated that he only started therapy after a crucial conversation with Meghan.

A Sussex spokesperson clarified that Harry's advocacy for mental health overlapped with his own recovery journey, but meeting Meghan in July 2016 and finding a good therapist gave him the confidence to discuss his struggles more openly.

This contradicts claims made by royal author Angela Levin, who stated that Meghan had nothing to do with Harry's decision to seek help.

The omission of William's influence in Harry's recent public remarks is a sharp contrast to how he has spoken about the topic in the past, noted Ellie Hall.

Additionally, Harry claimed to Oprah that every request regarding their declining mental health was met with silence and neglect from the royal family.

However, during “The Me You Can't See,” Harry admitted feeling ashamed of admitting how terrible Meghan felt and revealed that his shame kept him from telling his family.

A Sussex spokesperson told Buzzfeed that it was due to his family's lack of support and action in other rejected requests, such as protection from the media and Meghan's plea for inpatient treatment, that Harry did not believe his family would be willing to help.

These contradictions and inconsistencies raise questions about the narrative Prince Harry is presenting to the world.

As he continues to navigate his new life outside the royal family, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact his relationships and support base both in the UK and the US.