Letters: Harry’s initiative on mental health and Meghan’s unhappiness as part of the Royal family
SIR – Talking to Bryony Gordon in a 2017 podcast (still available online), Prince Harry revealed his own mental health problems associated with the tragic death of his mother.
He said he would not have done anything about this had it not been for the persistence of his brother, who urged him to get professional help. He was universally praised for his openness.
Yet in the Oprah Winfrey interview, he said he would not ask members of his family for help with his mental health because there was no point.
As co-founder of a mental health initiative, Heads Together, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, why did Prince Harry not act quickly to persuade his depressed wife that she needed treatment, and to arrange a medical appointment for her?
She would have received the same praise for seeking help that Harry had for his brave podcast. Who would have stood in her way to prevent her?
Like so much of the interview, their account doesn’t add up.
Carol Bennett
Nocton, Lincolnshire
SIR – The Duchess of Sussex is a mature, twice- married, outspoken, independent woman. Yet she says she was barred by the Palace from seeking help for her mental health problems.
Diana, Princess of Wales, accessed mental health services. Prince Harry accessed mental health services.
I think Meghan is being economical with the truth.
Dorothy Wolstencroft
Lymm, Cheshire
SIR – Mental ill-health is a disorder that needs professional help. Rational sadness, as a response to circumstances, is not an illness, however. To encourage young people to see themselves as mentally ill whenever they may be unhappy is dangerous and can be harmful.
It would be so good to see the beautiful and undoubtedly influential Duchess of Sussex perhaps extol and demonstrate the virtues of strength and humour.
Marion Wilcocks
Beare Green, Surrey
SIR – Poor Duchess: the world at her feet and still she was so unhappy.
I am 81, in declining health, and my looks have long gone. I’ve been more or less restricted to my home for a year.
A few weeks ago, I wrote in my diary: “Sometimes I feel a great black cloud descend on me – utter despair.” I didn’t call my GP – she’s got enough to cope with. I didn’t contact my son or daughter, as both have problems of serious loss of income.
What I said to myself was: “You’re not in a war zone. You’ve money in the bank, a husband, a fine roof over your head, warmth, telephone, internet, plenty to eat, even Zoom and an iPhone. Get a grip, be determinedly jolly, smile, laugh a bit – otherwise you’ll go under.”
I counted my many blessings. Could the Duchess not have done the same?
Val Stevens
Carnforth, Lancashire
SIR – I am dismayed that not one of our five living ex-prime ministers has chosen to speak up in defence of the Queen and the Royal family. I cannot imagine Margaret Thatcher or Winston Churchill being so hesitant. They were afraid of no one and stood up for what was right and honourable.
Alan Stewart
Crumlin, Co Antrim
SIR – Richard Madeley (Features, March 10) described Harry and Meghan as a “young couple”. At 36 and 39 years, I think that’s stretching “young” a bit.
Jenny Wilson
Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire
SIR – Richard Madeley sees Meghan as “merciful” in saying that she did not want to “harm” the royal person she accuses of racism. In fact she has harmed the entire group with her scattergun attack.
Professor Chris Barton
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
SIR – Some time ago amazing allegations were made by a “Nick” to the police that were believed to be true. This led to Operation Midland, which caused terrible damage and harm to many innocent people.
The recent allegations made on television during a long broadcast by two young persons, whose accounts differ, seems to follow the same course: instant belief by persons here and abroad.
What happened to the rule that you are, innocent until proved guilty?
His Honour Lord Parmoor
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
SIR– We are told that, worldwide, 50 million people have watched the interview.
One wonders what 100 million hours of voluntary work might have achieved instead.
Simon Shneerson
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
Prosecuting war crime
SIR – We support General Sir Nick Parker and His Honour Jeff Blackett (Comment, March 10), who urged thinking again on the Overseas Operations Bill, heeding the warnings of the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor.
Protecting the brave men and women who put their lives at risk for the United Kingdom from the anxiety of spurious investigations is a noble aim that we all support. However, it is the military chain of command and the Ministry of Defence that have failed our soldiers, not the law.
The Bill focuses on prosecutions, when the real problem lies in investigations. The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has warned that “we would all lose – victims, the Court, and ICC state parties – were the United Kingdom to forfeit what it has described as its leading role, by conditioning its duty to investigate and prosecute serious violations … on a statutory presumption against prosecution after five years”.
The Bill is an important line in the sand for showing our commitment to the welfare of our troops. However, in its current form it risks being merely a hollow symbol, making matters immeasurably worse.
At an absolute minimum, the Government should heed the ICC chief prosecutor’s warning and exclude from the scope of the Overseas Operations Bill all crimes that would trigger ICC jurisdiction.
Baroness Stern (Crossbench)
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts (Con)
Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Non‑affiliated)
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drones
London SW1
Toaster tinkering
SIR – I am a lifelong subscriber to the idea of “make do and mend” (“Longer-lasting appliances usher in a golden age of tinkering”, Comment, March 11).
Although there is sometimes help available on the internet, modern devices quite often defeat me. There are exceptions. A Dualit toaster bought as a wedding present in the Seventies needed a new element about 20 years ago. It was supplied by return post and simple to fit. It is still going strong.
Andrew Barley
Chippenham, Wiltshire
Safety on the streets
SIR – When I was a teenager, if I saw a group of men ahead of me in the street I had learnt to turn round and go home another way. My heart used to pound.
Do men realise how threatening it can feel? Probably not.
Liz Wheeldon
Seaton, Devon
SIR – Once, we had police on foot patrol in the streets, a deterrent to potential predators. Even a patrol car is a rarity now. Where are the extra 20,000 police promised in 2019?
David Burrows
Barton on Sea, Hampshire
Lockdown locks
SIR – From Monday, over the Severn Bridge in Wales, you will be able to go to a barber or hairdresser for a haircut.
In England we have to wait another month. What are we waiting for?
Christopher Mann
Bristol
SIR – On Tuesday, Professor Chris Whitty said: “A lot of people may think it’s all over but I would encourage them to look at continental Europe right now. It is easy to forget how quickly things can turn bad.”
But in Europe, the vaccine rollout has hardly begun, whereas in Britain it is rapidly reducing infection rates, hospital admissions and deaths.
Trevor Jones
Sidmouth, Devon
Too lowly for a lid
SIR – When I was a young captain’s wife in the Sixties, my mother asked why the married quarters’ bathroom loo had no lid (Letters, March 12). I requested one at the appropriate office but was told: “Majors and above!”
Jenny Funge-Smith
East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire
SIR – I understand Sue McFadzean’s excitement on securing a new lavatory seat (Letters, March 11). As a Naval wife I acquired under the radar a copy of the Crown Suppliers handbook. The charming man who dealt with us said: “You shouldn’t ’ave that. It raises your ’opes.”
My ’opes were indeed raised and dashed many times.
Lady Coward
Torpoint, Cornwall
Mowing enthusiasts are neat, not destructive
SIR – Having just completed the first mow of our acre or so of grass, I join William Sitwell (Features, March 10) in his eulogy for mowing.
I’d like to reassure Monty Don (report, March 9) that we mowing enthusiasts are not destroyers. We leave large areas for wild flowers, such as fritillaries and orchids.
I would also add that mowing is not just a man thing.
Pamela Wheeler
Kenley, Shropshire
SIR – I remember being taught to use a petrol mower, my father’s pride and joy; teaching my son to drive my first ride-on tractor, and seeing the results of my efforts where birds pecked and grandchildren played.
I do also have land turned over to plants and trees, and areas of wild flowers to feed my neighbour’s bees.
I am about to cut my lawn for the first time this year. I can’t wait.
Richard Hegarty
Woodnewton, Northamptonshire
The Census ignores work done by volunteers
SIR – I was surprised by all the data on employment that the Census requires. There was nothing on unpaid work.
Britain’s charitable and voluntary sector keeps afloat many areas such as foodbanks, help for the homeless, the environment and the arts. It is a crucial element of our national output.
Keith Earley
Trowbridge, Wiltshire
SIR – John Edlington (Letters, March 12) is right that the Census should be done by March 21, or soon after. But you can submit it before if you know who will be in your household on that day.
Peter Harper
Lover, Wiltshire
SIR – R I Monteith (Letters, March 11) suggests that the 1921 Census should be released early, as the 1911 was. But the Census Act of 1920 stated that it would not be put in the public domain until 100 years had passed. It will be released in January 2022.
Peter Shaw
Blackburn, Lancashire
SIR – Rod Ireland (Letters, March 11) says the option “None of these apply” should read “None of these applies”.
Since “none” equals “not one”, logic fixes it as a singular. However, idiom and the OED treat it as often plural.
Monica Steward
Hastings, East Sussex
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