Prince Harry Faces Severe Criticism Over Absence from Phone Hacking Trial's Initial Day
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is in the eye of the storm after his decision to miss the first day of the London-based phone hacking trial.
Prominent royal commentator Lady Colin Campbell, acclaimed British author Phil Dampier, and GB News anchor Dan Wootton gathered to dissect the unfolding events in the recent episode. The discussion centered on Prince Harry's decision to miss the inaugural day of the phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, despite the judge's express request for his attendance.
Prince Harry has been on the receiving end of intense online criticism and has drawn the ire of Judge Timothy Fancourt, who rebuked the royal for wasting court resources. Wootton noted that the Duke's trial had not started on the right foot and sought Campbell's perspective on the matter.
She agreed with his sentiments, adding, "Isn't it wonderful? I mean Harry couldn't have shot himself in the foot more effectively if he had been a sharpshooter."
Campbell went on to question Prince Harry's decision to ignore Mr. Justice Fancourt's order for his attendance on the trial's first day. She seemed surprised at Prince Harry's assumption that his decision to stay behind for his daughter Lilibet's second birthday would find favor with the judge. She further criticized the royal, saying, "Lilibet doesn't know what day of the week it is, much less whether it's her birthday, or not. The birthday could have been celebrated on Saturday, his arrogance, impertinence and delusionalism could have not been more apparent and his disrespect for everybody and everything except himself."
Wootton inquired of Dampier why Prince Harry hadn't simply adhered to the judge's directive. Like Campbell, Dampier suggested the Duke's behavior was a manifestation of arrogance.
"I've actually seen something on Twitter tonight suggesting that he was having a few drinks in Soho house last night. I don't know if that's true. That might be just one of those rumors on Twitter so I don't put any great support in it," Dampier said, albeit cautiously.
He further expressed surprise at Prince Harry's attitude towards the trial, wondering if the royal had lost perspective or was treating the entire matter as trivial.
Reflecting on Prince Harry's time with fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, who missed significant family occasions, Dampier found it hard to fathom why the Duke couldn't simply reschedule his daughter's birthday celebration. As the trial continues, he and the public await the potential repercussions when Prince Harry takes the stand on Tuesday.