Prince Harry's 'spiteful' attempt to upstage his father was a complete …

Eco-warrior Prince Harry arrived unexpectedly in London last week. It was the first time he had come to the UK since the Queen's funeral in September of last year.  His mission was to go to the Royal Courts of Justice, where he and other high-profile individuals have made claims against the publisher of the Daily Mail over alleged phone hacking.    

As it was a preliminary hearing, Harry could just as well have stayed at home and showed support remotely, especially given his frequent complaints about the "inadequate" security afforded to him in the UK.

Harry strictly guards his privacy, and could have avoided the press if he had used the side entrance to the building Instead he strode to the front doors, wearing a smug, haughty grin, and was surrounded by photographers and journalists who were waiting to see other claimants.  Legal wranglings with his old media nemesis aside, I believe the real spiteful purpose of the trip was to outsmart his father and stepmother.

The visit coincided with day one of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla's first state visit abroad since the beginning of the new monarch's reign. The plan was to first Paris, before moving on to Berlin as part of a six-day travel itinerary. It was inconceivable that another royal would try to steal the spotlight from such a significant occasion. 

But Harry's respect for the Monarchy and those working within it has disintegrated ever since he and his wife Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020. The trip gave him the ideal opportunity to prove he was more popular and powerful than the King and get himself on the newspaper front pages. He did indeed end up grabbing the media limelight, but the King and Queen didn't give him much competition.

Their anticipated visit to France was called off by President Macron due to violent rioting. The King, we were told, would have gone regardless.    Their planned follow-up trip to Germany was a huge success.

Crowds eagerly chanted "we want King Charles" as thousands waited hours in the pouring rain to see the royal couple appear on a balcony in Hamburg. The trip featured serious engagements, such as King Charles and the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier together laying wreaths in remembrance of the victims of the Second World War.

Charles's aim was "to renew the special bond of friendship" between the UK and Germany. He also addressed the Bundestag, a first for any British monarch.

There were funny moments too, including Charles getting the giggles while trying to make some cheese at an organic farm. The visit has made a mockery of his youngest son's attempt, in his recently published memoir Spare, to give the impression his father is a doddery inept man who shows little emotion. How could Harry be so snide and patronising?

Why he would do such a thing while living 5,000 miles away is anyone's guess.  

He told the phone hacking trial he was seeking justice because "I love my country". It's a facade and he shouldn't bother. We saw for our ourselves how the King and Queen Consort sailed through engagements, at both day and night, and received a wonderful reception. 

Moaning Harry hasn't got a chance.  

It is obvious who has won this particular battle.