Prince Harry labelled a ‘hypocrite’ for allegedly using royal status in paparazzi PR stunt

In their documentary, Harry & Meghan, the Duke of Sussex described their relationship with the media as ‘the hunter versus the prey’. Still, it would seem that Prince Harry took part in his fair share of paparazzi stunts in his youth.

Harassed by the paps

In the second episode, Prince Harry broaches a sticky issue: the paparazzi. He stated that:

The majority of my memories are of me being swarmed by paparazzi.

He explains how his mother, Princess Diana, was harassed by the paparazzi and compares it to what his wife, Meghan, had to endure when news of their relationship went public. He describes the relationship Princess Diana and now he and his wife have with the paparazzi as ‘the hunter versus the prey’.

He also confesses:

To see another woman in my life who I love go through this feeding frenzy, that’s hard.

However, he mentions one big difference nowadays: social media. He said:

Once the photographs are out, and the story is next to it, then comes the social media harassment.

Prince Harry explains that Meghan had not only to deal with the same physical harassment of the paparazzi as Princess Diana but also had to deal with online trolls.

Read more:

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan reveal never-before-seen photos of Archie in $100m documentary

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan: This is how the public is reacting to their new Netflix trailer

Partaking in PR stunts

However, the Duke of Sussex has been called out by an unnamed 'friend' with whom he apparently used to go clubbing for his 'hypocritical' rhetoric.

Indeed, Prince Harry’s supposed friend told The Sun that on more than one occasion, the Prince was deliberately photographed by paparazzi outside a nightclub in London to boost the venue's popularity. Prince Harry was allegedly friends with the owner, Guy Pelly, and used his royal status to give his mate a PR boost. Prince Harry’s mere presence was apparently ‘amazing for its profile’.

The unnamed source said:

It was Pelly’s idea to get him at the front door a few times. Harry was pictured and boom, the club really took off.

Despite usually being ushered in the back door secretly, Prince Harry’s friend claimed that the Duke of Sussex ‘must have known’ there would be photographers waiting to snap pictures of him if he left through the main entrance:

He (Prince Harry) is guilty of rank hypocrisy.

Prince Harry’s friend added:

It is odd to think this is the same bloke preaching to the world on Netflix, including about paps.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward also seemed disappointed in Prince Harry. She said:

It is hypocritical for Harry because we all felt sorry for him, thinking he was getting photographed against his wishes.

Read more:

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 'hot water' for allegedly violating late Queen Elizabeth's privacy

Sources used:

- Daily Mail: Prince Harry is branded a 'hypocrite' for describing his relationship with paparazzi as 'hunter versus prey' when he 'capitalised on royal status to help promote a friend's nightclub'

- The Sun: TALKING PAP Prince Harry branded a ‘hypocrite’ as it emerges he took part in set up nightclub paparazzi stunt