Prince Harry found himself in hot water after a surprising revelation about his interaction with Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, emerged.
The Duke’s claim of warning Dorsey about the US Capitol Hill riots a day before they occurred led to a public backlash, including a slap from royal commentator Mr Jonathan Sacerdotty.
The incident has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions across various media platforms, with many questioning the appropriateness of Harry’s actions in the realm of public affairs.
In a recent interview with Wired, Prince Harry disclosed his alleged communication with Jack Dorsey, stating that he had forewarned the CEO about a possible coup on January 5.
However, the aftermath of the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, where far-right activists stormed the US Capitol building, has left many puzzled by Harry’s involvement in such political matters.
Mr Sacerdotty, known for his contributions to Sky News and The Spectator, expressed concerns over the potential repercussions of Harry’s actions on the royal family, particularly Queen Elizabeth.
Mr Sacerdotty highlighted the irony of Prince Harry’s foray into political advising, especially considering the longstanding tradition of the royal family to refrain from engaging in political matters.
He emphasized that despite stepping back from his royal duties, Harry remains connected to the British monarchy, making his political commentary a subject of scrutiny and embarrassment for the royal household.
The commentator questioned the validity of Harry’s expertise in offering political and business advice, given his status as a former working royal.
The controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s statements extends to his views on social media and misinformation, which he addressed during the Wired event focused on combating online falsehoods.
Harry described misinformation as a global crisis, drawing parallels to the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, due to media intrusion.
He pointed out the role of a small number of accounts in spreading hate speech, particularly targeting his wife, Meghan Markle, on platforms like Twitter.
Adding fuel to the fire, data analysis firm Bot Sentinel revealed that a significant portion of online hate directed at Meghan Markle originated from a handful of Twitter accounts.
This revelation further fueled discussions about the impact of social media on public figures and the dissemination of harmful content.
Meanwhile, experts like Marianne Spring from the BBC linked the January riots to inflammatory rhetoric on platforms like Twitter, perpetuated by influential figures like former President Donald Trump.
As the fallout from Prince Harry’s controversial claims continues to unfold, the debate around the role of royals in public discourse and social media influence remains contentious.
While Harry and Meghan may see themselves as advocates for positive change in the digital realm, critics question their qualifications to delve into complex political issues.
The intersection of royalty, social media, and global events underscores the evolving dynamics of public engagement and responsibility in the digital age.