Prince Harry 'playing a game he will not win' with 'choreographed' appearances - expert

The Duke of Sussex is making “choreographed appearances” and “playing a game”, claims a royal expert.

Prince Harry has been seen in person at recent events and has also recorded videos of himself when he can’t physically make it, in a bid “to control the narrative”, according to royal expert Michael Cole. But the former working royal is “playing a game that can only have one winner”, claims Cole.

This also comes as Prince Harry has been spotted at polo matches and alongside longtime pal Nacho Figueras as he films his latest project for Netflix focusing on the world of polo and what the sport is like behind the scenes.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Speaking to The Express US, Michael Cole explained: “It’s clear that Prince Harry is now being produced. The majority of his ‘public appearances’ are not public appearances at all, but carefully choreographed video recordings played into events where his name on the invitation has been the main attraction.” He added: “Prince Harry is playing a game that can only have one winner — and it won’t be him.”

The comments come as the Duke of Sussex faces a bill of £1 million after being told to reimburse taxpayers having lost a battle with the Home Office for downgrading his security. Harry has been ordered by the High Court to pay 90 per cent of the Home Office’s legal costs of defending his challenge over changing his level of police protection when he visits the UK.

He took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.

Prince Harry

Following the previous ruling, a spokesperson for the Duke said he intended to challenge the judgement, adding that Harry “hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal”. But on Monday, a judicial spokesperson said that Harry has lost his initial bid to appeal against the decision.

The exact sum that Harry has to pay was not specified, but figures from a Freedom of Information request revealed that the government had spent £514,128 on the case. This included more than £180,000 on barristers, £320,000 on solicitors at the Government Legal Department and £2,300 in court fees, while Harry is thought to have spent a similar amount on his own legal costs.

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