The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staring down at a horror week thanks to events entirely beyond their control.
Well bust out the single malt and break out the deep-fried Mars Bars: Bit of all right and King Charles’ right-hand man, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland has been promoted by His Majesty.
No one needs a crystal ball to predict the adulatory column inches the event will attract or the torrent of high-sheen Instagram videos that the Kensington Palace social media team will be pumping out to sell prince as a top flight global statesman with all the urgency of a home shopping host trying to make quota.Thus it’s poor old Harry time: He is about to have to bear witness to a swath of press coverage about just how brilliant a philanthropist his older brother has become.
Just what the world – and I’m assuming Meghan herself, wants – another grinding instalment in the world’s least enjoyable soap opera, Yet, this annual day of reflection dedicated to those who have served is one that he has not been officially allowed to play a part in for years now. What, you would have to assume, was intended to be a thoughtful and touching gesture by the Sussexes instead just came across looking like a self-serving bit of PR puffery, that they were cosplaying royalty from 8500 kilometres away.
King Charles is reportedly keen to celebrate his 75th in a low-key event. Picture: Nicky J Sims / POOL / AFP