The most famous book of military tactics, The Art of War, was written in the 5th century BC by Sun Tzu, but it’s starting to look like an equally devastating treatise on battlefield strategy is being written by royal courtiers in London.
In the weeks since Harry and Meghan’s history-making interview with Oprah Winfrey (and their allegations of royal indifference to her declining mental health and of racism), the palace’s response has seemingly been one of futile determination to minimise the scale of the crisis.
After all, Buckingham Palace took nearly two leaden days to put out a scant 61-word statement in response, saying the “concerning” issues the couple had raised would be “addressed by the family privately,” before the entire clutch of HRHs left proceeded to gamely get on with their packed schedules of remotely jollying along a shattered Britain.
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The message they were attempting to send to the world was clear: That the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s outpouring was nothing more than a temper tantrum, all foot-stamping and finger-pointing; prime time sound and fury signifying nothing more than a ratings smash for CBS and a childish outpouring of perceived grievances. The adults in the (throne) room would sort out the mess.
All of which felt decidedly lacklustre, as if the royal family have spent the last few weeks pitifully clinging to their tried and tested “How to survive a PR disaster” guide that by…
