The former Brexit Party MEP also claimed that the numerous media activities undertaken by the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle were proof that the couple “live for publicity”. Ms Widdecombe is a columnist for the Daily Express, as well as being the former MP for Maidstone and Weald, and a former minister in various departments under former Conservative Prime Minister John Major.
Harry’s last speech saw him address the United Nations General Assembly last month.
During his speech, he referenced the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion ruling, and also warned of a “global attack on democracy,” although he cannot vote.
She said: “I’ve really given up on commenting on them. I don’t think any member of the royal family should ever make a public political comment.
“Yet his retort would be, ‘Well, we’ve been stripped of our royalty.’
Ms Widdecombe pointed out that the Sussexes nevertheless retained and continued to use their royal titles, leading to a “cake and eat it” situation.
Asked about Harry’s increasing tendency to speak out on matters of public interest since marrying Meghan in 2018, Ms. Widdecombe suggested the former Suits actress, who turned 41 yesterday, had been a huge influence on the 37-year-old Royal.
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She explained: “I think it’s haunted and haunted.
“I hardly ever comment on them on my Express page because they live for publicity. I don’t give them any publicity.”
Relations between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace have been strained since they left the UK for the US in early 2020, stepping back from their roles as front-line royals in the process.
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They have also signed lucrative deals, believed to be worth more than £100m, with Spotify and Netflix, giving them the capital to pursue their new lifestyle and public goals.
Meanwhile, Harry is preparing to publish a memoir later this year which he has described as “the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned… a first-hand account of my life that is accurate and completely truthful “.
Speaking to Express.co.uk last month, royal commentator Jonathan Sacerdoti said there was no doubt the Royals were upset by the prospect.
He said: “The fact is that Prince Harry said it would be revealing and he would write it from quite a personal perspective.
“And given the difficulties between the royal family and Harry and Meghan since they left the UK, there is a lot to worry about.”
Sacerdoti also suggested that Meghan had shaped the way her husband thought.
He said: “It probably has some influence on him.
“And that may be because, in certain ways, she may be more cunning or smarter.
“But I don’t think Prince Harry is anyone’s fool in terms of not knowing what’s going on here. I think he knows what he’s doing.”
