Prince Harry has reopened memories of his Nazi costume scandalin a new essay on antisemitism published in London on Thursday 14 May, in a move that critics say risks looking like an attempt to compete withKing Charlesas the monarch met Jewish leaders in the capital.
The piece, published in theNew Statesman, sees Harry reflect on his own 'past mistakes' while warning about rising hatred, as his father was greeting crowds and hearing from victims at a synagogue just a few miles away.
The essay comes amid growing concern overantisemitic incidents in the UKand heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian protests. Harry has not lived in Britain for six years, but he continues to intervene in UK debates through legal cases, media projects and statements on veterans' issues. This latest intervention takes him into more overtly political territory, landing on the same day Charles chose a very different way to address the same crisis.
In theNew Statesmanessay, Harry describes what he calls a 'deeply troubling' rise in attacks on Jewish communities and urges those demonstrating over the Middle East to be 'clear' about where their anger is directed. He presents his argument as a call for precision and responsibility, saying blurred lines between protest and hate speech are causing 'real harm.'
Harry is never going to live down dressing up like a Nazi, no matter how much time passes.pic.twitter.com/wHYBbiMbNP
He also revisits the most infamous mistake of his twenties, referring directly to the2005 fancy dress party where he wore a Nazi uniform, complete with a swastika armband, to a 'colonials and natives' themed event.
'I am acutely aware of my own past mistakes, thoughtless actions for which I have apologised, taken responsibility and learned from,' he writes, before adding that 'that experience informs my conviction that clarity matters now more than ever, at a time when confusion and the distortion of truth are doing real harm, even when speaking plainly is not without consequence.'
The language is careful and contrite. But it also puts his own shame back at the centre of the story, nearly two decades after the pictures first appeared on the front pages. For a prince who has repeatedly said he wants privacy, it is another reminder of how often he returns to the spotlight when a cause or personal project demands it.
While Harry was writing from abroad, King Charles was in London meeting members of the Jewish community and hearing first-hand accounts of antisemitic violence. Crowds gathered to see him, with people calling 'God save the King' as they tried to catch a glimpse, according to reports from the scene.
One of those he met wasMoshe Shine, who survived a stabbing to the neck in April in what police described as a vicious antisemitic attack. Shine later said the King refused to let go of his hand as he listened to his account.
Source: International Business Times UK
