The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is photographed laying flowers at Los Angeles National Cemetery. Some royal family watchers criticized the event as a “publicity stunt” after the couple released photos of their private service.
On Monday, royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “The Sussex family wanted to look like they cared, and I’m sure they did.
“But it backfired and looked like it was – a publicity stunt.”
It claimed that the “brave” military Prince Harry was “lost forever” since his release from royal duties.
Good Morning Britain host Pierce Morgan also criticized the Sussex team photos as “a nasty PR stunt”.
The photos were believed to be designed to return to Buckingham Palace after he was said to have turned down Prince Harry’s request to place a wreath on his behalf at the royal memorial service.
The Queen was reportedly not informed of Prince Harry’s request.
His request was denied on the grounds that the Duke of Sussex was no longer representing the monarchy, according to The Times.
Mrs. Seward said she thought Her Majesty the Queen may have agreed to the request but the matter was politically complicated.
Read more: “It’s over!” Prince Harry was not told of any way to return to the royal family’s fold
Mr. Morgan specializes in fashion and celebrity photos and the couple commissioned him to take the Memorial Day shots.
Prince Harry served in the British Army for ten years, conducting two rounds in Afghanistan.
During his time in the army he was promoted to captain.
In 2014, Prince Harry revealed that he had missed being an Apache helicopter pilot and wanted to return to flying at some point in the future.
Seward said Prince Harry “was hailed as a hero after his deployment to Afghanistan.”
She added, “We need old Harry to return, but unfortunately I think that old Harry, that brave and charming young man, who worked hard to help his military colleagues before and after the conflict, is lost forever.”
In September, a source claimed that Prince Harry joined a helicopter club in the United States after he qualified as Apache Commander in 2013 while in the military.
The prince left the British Army shortly after obtaining his license to focus instead on charitable projects.
An insider on the affairs of the royal family told The Sun, “He’s so proud of this license, he worked hard to get the basics first and then Apache.
“It is unlikely that he will be called up for military service in England again, but he wants to keep long hours for personal use, so he and Megan can set off on expeditions if they want to.”
