A little touch of Harry

Prince Harry's BBC interview aired last night and even by his usual standards it was jaw-dropping.

As an active supporter of Republic, the organisation campaigning for the abolition of the British monarchy, I couldn't help thinking that Harry was doing our work for us - and possibly more effectively. I have some sympathy for Harry's plight and he spoke compellingly about it not being his fault that he was born into the royal family. His argument is that, having been so, the least the state could do would be to ensure his and his wife and children's security in the UK. After all, as he trenchantly pointed out, senior politicians, who chose to be elected to public office, enjoy lifelong security. He had no choice in the matter yet has been hung out to dry.

His logic is impeccable and simply serves to amplify the point we anti-monarchists are making that the institution needs to be abolished. It is intrinsically unfair, not least to those born into it, and is frankly unreformable. I'm sure it is not Harry's intention to bring down the monarchy but his public statements are focusing attention on the inherent inequity of hereditary monarchy and the iniquity of an institution into which one is born but which then turns its back on any member who dares to walk away from it. This is a cruel and unnatural system which has no place in a modern democracy and should no longer be part of the constitutional settlement, sustained with taxpayers' money.

Harry called for the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to speak to his father, the King, to regularise his security situation. In a constitutional monarchy the decision, ultimately, resides with the government. Starmer could make the decision in the King's name but will he dare to do so? If he does he will have to be willing to pick up the tab for Harry's security and explain to parliament and the British people why he is willing to do so. With all the pressures on the public purse, and with Reform snapping at his heels, this will not be an easy task and is one he will probably duck.

Until the monarchy is finally abolished, such dilemmas will continue in perpetuity.

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