Prince Harry at an unrelated court case in London in March 2023. (Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty)
Prince Harry has come under fire for what some perceive as an elitist lifestyle, despite his decision to step back from royal duties. Former soldier Ben McBean, who has personal ties to the Duke, recently voiced his frustrations in an interview with The Daily Mail.
McBean, who lost an arm and a leg in a landmine blast in Afghanistan in 2008, shared a plane ride home with Prince Harry following the traumatic event. Drawing on this past connection, McBean did not hold back in his criticism of the Duke.
He began by addressing Harry’s public grievances about his family, particularly the allegations against his brother, Prince William. “I just thought, with him kind of whinging about his family and he was saying something about his brother pushing him over or something like that, I was just like, ‘Mate, just leave it out,’” McBean said.
Offering his perspective on familial disputes, McBean added, “You and your brother had little fisticuffs…but family’s family, you know.” The former soldier also criticized Harry’s public airing of grievances, likening it to inappropriate social media behavior. “If one of my friends fell out with his partner and started posting things on social media and saying my ex is this and that, I’d have told him to shut up as well,” he remarked.
McBean’s comments highlight growing public fatigue over Harry’s disclosures, with critics arguing that the Duke’s actions contradict his stated desire for privacy. The accusations add to an ongoing debate about Harry and Meghan Markle’s lifestyle, which includes lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify and a high-profile move to California.
The couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, coupled with their tell-all interviews and memoirs, has sparked divided opinions. While some support their quest for independence and advocacy for mental health, others view their actions as contradictory to their desire for a more private life.
McBean’s remarks come as Prince Harry and Meghan continue to navigate their post-royal lives, balancing public scrutiny with their philanthropic and professional endeavors. Whether Harry will respond to the latest round of criticism remains to be seen, but the debate surrounding his choices shows no signs of abating.
