Prince Harry's speech at the UN has little in common with Mandela

In honor of the late president on his birthday, July 18 is observed as Nelson Mandela Day by the United Nations. This week someone had the less-than-bright idea to invite Prince Harry to deliver the keynote address.

The United Nations exists as a symbol of the global human family.

Yet Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are estranged from their own families, a division that deepens after an ill-timed spray on the Royal Family even as the Queen mourns her dying husband.

Less generous but no less accurate, the United Nations exists so that countries that cannot solve anything individually, can come together to decide that nothing can be done collectively.

By giving a Sunday sermon for the embodiment of royal privileges, the United Nations invites ridicule and ridicule by belittling a deadly serious issue and asserting that it is a non-serious organization that is increasingly out of purpose.

While the Queen honors her privileged birthright with selfless service, duties and responsibilities, her granddaughter and wife complain about the royalty burden while exploiting it for maximum financial gain and publicity.

They are always convinced but rarely right, with niceties for every platform and clichés for every occasion.

Their six degrees of separation from adversity remind schoolchildren of an imagined poor family.

‘The Smith family is very poor. Everyone in the family was poor: cooks, butlers, nannies, drivers, gardeners…’.

Mandela had gravity and dignity in spades.

Imprisoned on Robben Island for his belief under very harsh conditions (yes, I’ve been there), he was generous in forgiving his tormentors.

He has maintained his modesty and trademark quirks after becoming president and a global icon.

The contrast with a partner who constantly complains about a perceived insult to rights couldn’t be greater.

The couple have publicly complained about the lack of financial support from the Royal Family, while living on the luxurious $18 million estate.

But Harry has a chutzpah to say: ‘We have an obligation to give as much if not more than we receive’.

Then they denounce the systemic racism they claim to have experienced in Britain.

For a country deemed stale, pale and male, the four finalists for the leadership of the Conservative Party, and thus the next British Prime Minister, are guaranteed to be black or white women or men of Indian descent: the best of Britain’s diversity, inclusivity and tolerance. .

Showing a lack of self-awareness, Harry denounces the burning world and attacks Big Oil for environmental destruction.

Does he reflect on his own contribution to emissions as he and his wife travel the world in private jets and luxury limousines?

The hereditary prince with no real accomplishments of his own lectured the world on a ‘global attack on democracy’ and berated the US Supreme Court for ‘returning’ the constitutional right to abortion.

Think about that juxtaposition for a moment.

The eligible prince with zero legal training – nil – places himself above the highest court in interpreting the US constitution.

The Supreme Court says the constitution does not provide for the right to abortion; Fundamental questions such as individual morality, social mores and political ethics are best decided by the people of each state through their elected representatives.

It takes the issue of abortion out of the hands of a narrow, unelected judicial clergy and returns it to the democratic arena.

For Harry, this is an attack on democracy.

As Amber Athey wrote in United States audiencehis comments point to ‘all the British arrogance that led to the Revolutionary War’.

If Harry and Meghan spent a year incognito in a poor African country, surviving on average wages, they might learn something and have a valuable message to communicate.

Until then, maybe they should just bury their holy hypocrisy and retreat to a quiet life of privilege in a very awakened California.

Ramesh Thakur is Professor Emeritus at the Crawford School, Australian National University and former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.

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