CNN
Last week was all about the Duke of Sussex. This week, it’s the royal family’s turn.
Considering the disclosures from the vexed prince – both in his book, “Spare,” and his promotional media appearances – many were curious about how the clan would handle returning to the public eye after the holidays.
When asked by US comedian Stephen Colbert last week, Prince Harry said “of course” his family, along with the British media, is actively campaigning to undermine his book. The royal added: “After 38 years, they have told their side of the story. This is the other side of the story and there’s a lot in there that perhaps makes people feel uncomfortable and scared.”
However, the reality is not quite as black and white. Certainly, multiple British newspapers are still running frequent follow-up headlines using sound-bites from commentators. But there appears little evidence of a coordinated effort from an army of unnamed palace sources, as Harry has asserted, to debunk his grievances. And, of course, there continues to be radio silence from the palace whenever the book is raised.
What we have seen is the Windsors throwing themselves into lots of walkabouts and meetings as they embarked on their first engagements of the year.
King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales kicked things off two days after “Spare” hit bookshelves. Up in Scotland, the monarch laughed heartily with members of the public while at a local community space aiming to combat rural loneliness.
The same day, William and Kate appeared at ease as they called in at the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the mental health charity Open Door in Merseyside, northern England. There were no signs of apparent sadness over their disgruntled relative in California and questions shouted toward the couple asking if they had been “hurt by the comments in Harry’s book” went unanswered.
