Columnist Sarah Vine has questioned the motivations behind Prince Harry's legal actions, suggesting he may be influenced by external forces, similar to how her mother, Princess Diana, was allegedly swayed by Martin Bashir. This perspective emerges following a recent legal ruling where a judge found no proof of wrongdoing in a case brought by Prince Harry and others against a newspaper, ruling entirely in the publication's favor.
Vine drew a parallel between Prince Harry's campaign and his mother's past experiences, citing how Princess Diana became convinced the Royal Family was against her, allegedly due to the actions of Martin Bashir and the BBC. Bashir, she noted, purportedly exploited Diana's anxieties by fabricating information, leading her to believe a 1995 Panorama interview was necessary for her protection.
Vine's commentary suggests that Prince Harry, like his mother, may be acting under a similar perceived threat, but questions whether the BBC, which she states has not made reparations or formally reprimanded Bashir, would fit this narrative. She contends that Prince Harry appears to misunderstand legal processes, referencing a judge's observation that Harry's evidence occasionally strayed into argument rather than purely factual testimony.
"This judgment represents a complete reversal of the position which previous judges have taken in relation to the hacking claims successfully brought against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers," Harry reportedly stated, a claim Vine refutes by explaining that the Daily Mail operates differently and that law bases decisions on individual case merits.
The columnist also criticized Prince Harry's public persona, particularly his remarks in his autobiography, "Spare," where he described individuals like his school matron, Pat, and the woman with whom he lost his virginity, with what Vine terms "careless cruelty." Vine suggests this attitude reveals a disregard for the feelings of those he perceives as less significant, contrasting it with his public advocacy for "kindness."
Vine posits that Prince Harry's approach to conflict involves blaming others and lashing out when he does not get his way, directed at his family, the British government, the media, and former colleagues. She views his recent legal efforts as an "ultimate expression of that delusion."
"It was Winston Churchill who said: 'In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity.' Wise words indeed, and ones that spring to mind at the end of a long, arduous, four-year campaign by Prince Harry and others to bring down this newspaper," Vine wrote, concluding that while there is vindication for newspapers, Harry should use this as a "teachable moment" to reflect on his choices.