Harry's Ukraine visit 'deliberately timed and will not be popular' as King's state visit to US looms

Ben McCaffrey
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:21:32 +0000

Prince Harry's visit to Ukraine was "deliberately timed and will not be popular", a royal commentator has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex embarked on a two-day trip to Kyiv on Thursday, where he issued some strong words for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the United States' Donald Trump.

He said: "President Putin, no nation benefits from the continued loss of life we are witnessing. There is still a moment – now – to stop this war, to prevent further suffering for Ukrainians and Russians alike, and to choose a different course."

Meanwhile, he called on the US for "leadership" and to "honour its international treaty obligations".

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Those comments did not go down particularly well with Mr Trump, who later declared: "I think I'm speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry, that's for sure. But thank him for his advice."

The public feud comes just days before King Charles is due to visit the US, amid ongoing tensions between Mr Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Trump has insisted any apparent rifts will not overshadow the visit, which he remains excited about.

However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News the comments will not be "helpful" for the visit, and the relationship between the Trump administration and the Sussexes remains "hostile".

"What Prince Harry's done, and what he's said, is admirable in normal circumstances," Mr Fitzwilliams said.

"But, the way it's been timed will certainly not be helpful to next week's state visit between two countries who supposedly had a special relationship, but currently that relationship is under strain."

During an interview with ITV upon the conclusion of his two-day trip, Harry flatly denied that his words would impact King Charles' US state visit.

And similarly, Mr Trump told the Oval Office yesterday: "We're really looking forward to it."

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Mr Fitzwilliams said Harry drawing a response from Mr Trump is already proof the feud could loom over the anticipated visit.

But the commentator went one further, claiming the visit was a "deliberate" act of public relations.

"There's no question that, in my mind, everything is done by all individuals of his level, with an eye to public relations," he said.

Earlier this month, the Sussexes visited Australia for a four-day private tour. While Australians turned out in droves to catch a glimpse of the couple, over 47,000 voiced their anger by signing a petition against any taxpayer-funded security being used.

Harry's Ukraine visit is "against the background" of that trip, the commentator says, "which was obviously was partly about turning money and partly about going to one of the king's realms, which will not, I think, have been very popular at the Palace."

He added: "It's extraordinary; had he done this at another time, I would have been totally in favour of it.

"As it is, I see it as deliberately timed, albeit with the security conference, which he was asked to, apparently, before the state visit, and that will not be popular."