Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has recently come under fire for his criticism of the upcoming World War II miniseries, Masters of the Air.
The series, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, stars Austin Butler as one of the heroic American bomber pilots who fought against Nazi Germany.
However, Prince Harry’s comments have sparked controversy as he deemed the show inaccurate, biased, and disrespectful to the British and Commonwealth forces who also participated in the air war.
Living in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry did not anticipate the backlash that would ensue.
In an unexpected turn of events, Butler, Spielberg, and Hanks revealed that they had obtained a copy of a video from 2005, in which Prince Harry was seen wearing a swastika armband at a friend’s fancy dress party.
The trio announced their intention to release the video to the public, aiming to expose Prince Harry’s hypocrisy and ignorance and challenge his right to judge their work or history.
During a press conference held in Los Angeles on Monday, the video was shown, revealing a 20-year-old Prince Harry, then a cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, joking and laughing with friends while dressed in a Nazi uniform.
The footage depicted him wearing a red swastika armband and a badge of the German Afrika Korps, accompanied by a mock German accent as he made a Nazi salute and said, “Heil Hitler.”
The video caused significant outrage in 2005, as it was viewed as a direct insult to the millions who perished in the Holocaust and those who fought against Hitler’s regime.
At the time, Prince Harry issued a public apology, expressing regret for any offense or embarrassment caused and acknowledging his poor choice of costume.
However, Butler, Spielberg, and Hanks found his apology insufficient.
They aimed to expose Prince Harry’s true character and his apparent lack of respect for the sacrifices made by the Allied forces, particularly the American airmen who risked their lives to bomb Nazi targets.
Inspired by Donald L. Miller’s book, “Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany,” the trio adapted the story for their miniseries, intending to honor the bravery and heroism of those who flew the B-17 Flying Fortress, known as the “Flying Coffin” due to its high casualty rate.
Butler, Spielberg, and Hanks argued that Prince Harry’s criticisms of their show were unfounded, asserting that he had no understanding of the subject matter.
They condemned his choice to wear a Nazi symbol and mock the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
Additionally, they accused him of hypocrisy, given his recent claims of championing human rights and social justice while being part of the royal family—an institution they considered outdated and oppressive, responsible for centuries of exploitation and colonization.
Undeterred by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, whom they described as narcissistic, greedy, and manipulative, Butler, Spielberg, and Hanks stood firm in their convictions.
They claimed to possess evidence implicating Meghan Markle in leaking confidential information about Prince Harry’s affair with American actress Rachel Zane from the TV series Suits.
They alleged that this revelation was the true reason behind the couple’s departure from the royal family.
Furthermore, they hinted at future disclosures regarding Markle’s involvement in scandals and schemes.
While expressing hope that Prince Harry would reconsider his decision to leave the royal family and return to his homeland to fulfill his duty, Butler, Spielberg, and Hanks maintained their belief in his fundamental goodness.
They attributed his perceived corruption and misdirection to Meghan Markle and her allies.
Proud of their show, they eagerly anticipated its premiere on January 26, 2024, expressing confidence that it would captivate and educate millions of viewers.